The relational galaxy in old age according to sex and age: Contraction and genderization of the network in question

Abstract

To analyze the characteristics of personal social networks of the elderly according to sex and age. Participants: 612 elderly (386 women and 226 men) between 65 and 98 years old. Results: The interaction between age groups (young-old, middle-old and old-old) and sex was not statistically significant for the network. However, there are main effects to the structural, functional and relational-contextual according to age groups (p <0.05): young-old have less institutional relationships, less density and durability; more relational fields, access to new contacts and reciprocity; and greater geographical dispersion. Conclusions: The low differentiation of the networks according to age and sex questions the hypothesis of the network contraction with aging, highlighting the interest of unveiling its dynamics in old age.