The association mechanism between social network types and health-related behaviours among the elderly in rural Hubei Province, China.

China's rural population ageing situation is extremely serious, and the social network has become a very important social and environmental factor to ensure the health. This study aims to explore the association mechanism between social network types and health-related behaviours among the elderly in rural Hubei Province, China. A cross-sectional cluster sample survey method was used to investigate elderly individuals aged 60 or older. The following three results were obtained: (1) the level of health-related behaviours differed significantly depending on their social network types. The rural elderly embedded in restricted and family restricted networks had lower levels of health-related behaviours than those in other networks, especially those in diverse networks; (2) Social network types were found to be significantly associated with health-related behaviours, the perceived quality of social relationships and social support and (3) Social network types not only had a direct effect on health-related behaviours (except for health-seeking behaviour), but also an indirect effect through the mediating effects of the perceived quality of social relationships and social support. Policy makers should formulate relevant measures to improve unfavourable social network types of the rural elderly, thus promoting their health.