Support network type and patterns of help giving and receiving among older people

Howard Litwin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between support network types and the provision and receipt of support among adults aged 60 and over (N = 2646). Findings revealed different helping patterns by network type. The pattern in the diversified network was one of giving. Older people in the religious family focused type had a pattern of receiving. The traditional extended family network type reflected mutual exchange. Respondents in the friend and neighbor network had a private helping pattern while the members of the narrow family focused network were characterized by a disjointed manner of exchange. The helping pattern among elders in the attenuated network was one of marginalization, pointing to the group most in need. It is suggested that case managers in community based social care need to incorporate such network data in their care planning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-101
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Social Service Research
Volume24
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 17 Aug 1998

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