Exploring physical, mental and psychological health for elders through their personal networks

Abstract

In this study, we explore whether there is correlation between the personal network and its impact on physical, mental and psychological health of aging population. Previous research on aging and health suggest the importance of individual family network and social network on different aspects of health assessments and outcomes. We examine the impact of family network and social network on physical, mental and psychological health of elderly men and women by using a cross-national sample (N = 4412) from four Eastern Mediterranean countries of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. We analyse the dataset entitled World Health Organisation Collaborative Study on Social and Health Aspects of Aging in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia both at a macro and a micro level. Results show that there is a strong impact of family network and social network on individual physical, mental, and psychological health both at a macro and a micro level. ©2009 IEEE.