Life-Space Mobility, Transportation, and the Companionship Network of Members of a Hispanic Senior Center

Rebecca L Mauldin, Rupal Parekh, John P Connolly, Stephen P Mattingly, Aiman Mushtaq and Kayo Fujimoto

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2024, vol. 79, issue 6, 1610-1614

Abstract: ObjectivesCompanions (i.e., friends who spend time together) are important for the well-being of older adults. Senior centers in the United States are places for older adults to participate in group activities and form and maintain companionships. However, differences in mobility and transportation may affect the ability of older adults to leverage senior center activities into actual companionships.MethodsThis social network analysis was conducted to characterize the companionship network among members of a senior center in relation to their life-space mobility and transportation resources. An exponential random graph model was estimated to identify mobility- and transportation-related correlates of the likelihood of a companionship tie among senior center members (N = 42).ResultsMembers had an average of 2 companionships with one another (M = 2.2, SD = 2.7). Companionships were more likely for members with greater life-space mobility (p = .009), who attended the senior center more frequently (p = .004), with automobile ownership in their households (p = .034), and who were not transportation cost-burdened (i.e., spent less than 15% of their income on transportation, p = .005). Demographic characteristics, limitations on instrumental activities of daily living, and being at risk for depression were not significantly associated with the likelihood of companionships.DiscussionThese findings extend previous knowledge of the role of life-space mobility and transportation in supporting general social participation for older adults to include the importance of transportation and mobility for having companions within a senior center.

Keywords: Exponential random graph models; Friendships; Social engagement; Social networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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