Social networks, social support, and loneliness among older urban Indians: a mediation analysis

Rapid population ageing is transforming family structures in India, which have traditionally been considered as the primary source of care and support for older persons. As a result, older persons experience emotional and financial insecurity, which in turn increases the prevalence of psychological distress in later life. Considering this, the presence of social networks and the provision of social support may serve as a form of social resilience that helps cope with psychological distress in old age. The present study examines the association between social network types and loneliness, and explore the intermediary role of reciprocal social support in this relationship among older urban Indians. An adequate sample of 378 older individuals was drawn from a cross-sectional primary survey in the Kalyani Municipal Area of West Bengal, an eastern state of India. Both hierarchical and K-means cluster analyses were employed to derive distinct social network types. Hierarchical linear regression models were performed to assess the impact of specific social network types on loneliness after adjusted for control variables. Baron and Kenny’s ‘Causal Step Approach’ was used to explore the mediational impact. Cluster analyses identified five distinct social network types: ‘Other,’ ‘Friend,’ ‘Children (living away),’ ‘Spouse and Children (living together),’ and a specific family type, i.e., ‘Distant Family.’ Compared to the ‘Other’ network type, only the ‘Spouse and Children’ and ‘Children’ networks were significantly negatively associated with loneliness after controlling for adjusted variables. Further, social support partially mediates the relationships between social network types and loneliness. Specifically, giving social support is more favourable to prevent loneliness compared to receiving social support. The study findings underscore the need to promote social awareness regarding intergenerational responsibility towards the care and support of elderly members. Additionally, construction of geriatric unit and urban community centres may promote leisure activities and good knowledge about health and well-being.