Benjamin Cornwell1, L Philip Schumm2, Edward O Laumann3, Alyssa W Goldman4, Ellen L Compernolle5. 1. Department of Sociology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. 2. Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA. 3. Department of Sociology, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA. 4. Department of Sociology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. 5. NORC at the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) has collected 3 rounds of data on older adults' egocentric social networks. We describe the structure of network data collection for different components of the sample and the data that are available for those groups. We also describe survey techniques that were used to track specific personnel changes that occurred within respondents' networks during the 10-year study period. METHOD: Descriptive statistics are presented for measures of network size, composition, and internal structure at all 3 rounds, respondent-level summary measures of change in these characteristics between and across rounds, and measures of change associated with the loss and addition of network members across Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Procedures that were used to clean the network change data are also explained. RESULTS: The NSHAP network change module provides reliable information about specific changes that occurred within respondents' confidant networks. For returning baseline respondents, there is considerable overlap with respect to which confidants are named in successive rosters, but the norm is for Round 3 networks to be composed primarily of new confidants. DISCUSSION: These data provide new insights into the dynamic nature of networks in later life. Data limitations, and directions for future research, are discussed.
BACKGROUND: The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) has collected 3 rounds of data on older adults' egocentric social networks. We describe the structure of network data collection for different components of the sample and the data that are available for those groups. We also describe survey techniques that were used to track specific personnel changes that occurred within respondents' networks during the 10-year study period. METHOD: Descriptive statistics are presented for measures of network size, composition, and internal structure at all 3 rounds, respondent-level summary measures of change in these characteristics between and across rounds, and measures of change associated with the loss and addition of network members across Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Procedures that were used to clean the network change data are also explained. RESULTS: The NSHAP network change module provides reliable information about specific changes that occurred within respondents' confidant networks. For returning baseline respondents, there is considerable overlap with respect to which confidants are named in successive rosters, but the norm is for Round 3 networks to be composed primarily of new confidants. DISCUSSION: These data provide new insights into the dynamic nature of networks in later life. Data limitations, and directions for future research, are discussed.
Authors: Benjamin Cornwell; L Philip Schumm; Edward O Laumann; Jessica Graber Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2009-06-05 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Brenda C Spillman; Vicki A Freedman; Judith D Kasper; Jennifer L Wolff Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2020-08-13 Impact factor: 4.077