Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Ethn Dis. 2019 Feb 21;29(Suppl 1):201-208. doi: 10.18865/ed.29.S1.201. eCollection 2019.
Only 16% of people aged >65 years engage in recommended levels of physical activity, putting a vast majority at risk for multiple chronic conditions including heart disease. Physical activity is even lower among older adults with fewer economic resources. Research is needed to develop context-specific approaches to pair with physical activity interventions to increase effectiveness. In this pilot study, we examine social ties and physical activity levels of older adults living in a US Department of Housing and Urban Development subsidized senior housing community to test feasibility of a social network-based approach to physical activity interventions. This study is grounded in Social Contagion Theory and the Convoy Model of Social Relations, which argue health and health-related behaviors are facilitated through network ties.
Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted over the course of three months (September-November 2018) with 46 residents living in a low-income senior housing community in southeast Michigan. Residents were asked about physical activity, people they know in the community, and their close social network composition.
Residents reported knowing, on average, six other residents and approximately 28% of those in their close networks were also residents. Sociocentric network analysis identified two socially engaged (known by seven or more other residents) physically active residents, whereas ego-centric analysis identified four (60% or more of their network comprised residents).
This study demonstrates potential feasibility of a strategic partnership that involves pairing social resources with physical activity interventions in affordable senior housing. Multiple approaches, which need to be evaluated, exist to identify socially engaged residents.
只有 16%的 65 岁以上人群进行了推荐水平的身体活动，这使得绝大多数人面临多种慢性疾病的风险，包括心脏病。经济资源较少的老年人的身体活动水平甚至更低。需要研究制定特定背景下的方法，与身体活动干预措施相结合，以提高其效果。在这项试点研究中，我们调查了居住在美国住房和城市发展部补贴的高级住房社区的老年人的社会关系和身体活动水平，以测试基于社交网络的身体活动干预方法的可行性。这项研究基于社会传染理论和社会关系的护航模型，该理论认为健康和与健康相关的行为是通过网络联系来促进的。
数据是通过在 2018 年 9 月至 11 月期间进行的为期三个月的面对面访谈收集的，受访者是密歇根州东南部一个低收入老年人住房社区的 46 名居民。居民们被问及身体活动、他们在社区中认识的人以及他们的亲密社交网络组成。
居民们报告说，他们平均认识另外六名居民，而他们亲密网络中的约 28%也是居民。以社会为中心的网络分析确定了两名社交活跃（被七名或更多其他居民认识）的积极活动居民，而以自我为中心的分析则确定了四名（其网络中 60%或更多的居民是居民）。
这项研究表明，在经济适用的高级住房中，将社会资源与身体活动干预措施相结合的战略伙伴关系具有潜在的可行性。需要评估多种方法来确定社交活跃的居民。
