Social network type and health-related behaviors: Evidence from an American national survey

This study examined the association between social network type and engagement in physical activity, alcohol abuse and use of complementary and alternative medicine by older Americans. Data from the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project were employed. Multivariate logistic regressions conducted separately for each health behavior showed that older people embedded in less resourceful network types were at greater risk for alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and less use of complementary and alternative medicine, net of the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, health, and the quality of the social relationships. The study underscores the importance of the construct of social network type for understanding healthy lifestyle in late life.

► We employ the notion of social network type, which takes into account the complexity of the interpersonal environment. ► People in less resourceful network types were found to be at greater risk for alcohol abuse and physical inactivity. ► People in less resourceful network types were found to make less use of complementary and alternative medicine. ► Social tie quality—as measured by loneliness—was not associated with the three health behaviors in the adjusted models.