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Social networks amongst older people in OECD countries: a qualitative comparative analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2020

Philip Haynes ,
Laura Banks  and
Michael Hill
Philip Haynes*
Affiliation:
School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton, Mayfield House, Falmer, Brighton, UK
Laura Banks
Affiliation:
School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton, Mayfield House, Falmer, Brighton, UK
Michael Hill
Affiliation:
School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton, Mayfield House, Falmer, Brighton, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: p.haynes@brighton.ac.uk
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Abstract

Using data from The International Social Survey Programme this paper compares the social networks of those aged 50 and above in 18 countries. Two different types of networks are conceptualised: family contact and community participation. Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), international sets are established for four groups of countries. Set one includes countries that only satisfy a minimal number of social network thresholds (France, Norway, Great Britain, Denmark and the USA). Set two includes a homogeneous group of countries with above-threshold rates of marriage and community participation (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Canada). Other separate sets with stronger social network features comprise Eastern European countries (set three) and Southern Europe countries (set four) in these sets, family contacts are above the international country average but community participation is less strong. Country sets with low comparative threshold scores in the QCA are argued to be likely to be in greater need of government care policy interventions.

Keywords

older peoplesocial networksQCA
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy , Volume 29 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 15 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis

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Footnotes

This article was originally published with errors. This version has been corrected. Please see Corrigendum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21699763.2013.822653).

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