Key points from article :
Robust social networks can protect against depression in older adults.
"Involvement in the community—through clubs, charities, or churches—best ways for older people to grow their social network" - Reed Reynolds,MSU.
Layers of social connection and impacts on functioning in older adults were examined.
“Depending on a person’s social network, we do see compensation”.
“People without spouses or romantic partners tend to build larger interpersonal networks."
Having a partner is important for mental heath but not in elderly.
Higher risk of partner loss, less opportunity for making a new partner are the possible causes.
Study has significance in the pandemic - elderly are losing a partner & experiencing more isolation.
Research by Michigan State University(MSU) published in Psychology and Aging.
