Objectives Social relationships are important for older adults’ well-being, including those who live in assisted living (AL) communities. This study explores coresident networks within an AL community and identifies factors associated with residents’ social ties. Methods Acquaintance and companionship networks within the community are described using cross-sectional survey data (N = 38). We use inferential network statistical methods to estimate parameters for factors associated with residents’ acquaintance and companionship ties. Results Residents reported an average of 10 acquaintances and almost 4 companionships with other residents in the sample. The likelihood a resident had an acquaintance was associated with higher levels of cognitive functioning (p < .05), higher levels of physical limitations (p < .01), living in the AL community for a longer time (p < .01), and less frequent contact with outside family and friends (p < .05). Acquaintances were more likely between residents who moved in around the same time as each other (p < .01), lived on the same floor (p < .001), or had similar levels of physical limitations (p < .05). Companionships were more likely to be reported by male residents (p < .05) and residents with higher levels of cognitive functioning (p < .05) or depressive symptoms (p < .05). Longtime residents were more popular as companions (p < .01). Companionships were more likely between residents who lived on the same floor (p < .001) or were similar in age (p < .01). Discussion This research contributes to the literature of older adults’ nonkin social relationships by providing detailed descriptions of the acquaintance and companionship networks within an AL community, quantifying correlates of residents’ social ties, and distinguishing between acquaintances and companions.

中文翻译：

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辅助生活社区中的社交网络：居民之间的熟人和友谊关系的相关性


目标 社会关系对于老年人（包括生活在辅助生活 (AL) 社区的老年人）的福祉非常重要。本研究探讨了 AL 社区内的同住网络，并确定了与居民社会关系相关的因素。方法 使用横断面调查数据（N = 38）描述社区内的熟人和友谊网络。我们使用推理网络统计方法来估计与居民的熟人和友谊关系相关的因素的参数。结果 居民报告称与样本中的其他居民平均有 10 名熟人以及近 4 名同伴。居民有熟人的可能性与较高水平的认知功能 (p < .05)、较高水平的身体限制 (p < .01)、在 AL 社区居住的时间较长 (p < .01) 相关。 01)，并且与外界家人和朋友的接触频率较低 (p < .05)。大约同时搬入 (p < .01)、住在同一楼层 (p < .001) 或具有类似身体限制水平 (p < .05) 的居民之间更有可能认识。 ）。男性居民 (p < .05) 和认知功能水平较高 (p < .05) 或抑郁症状 (p < .05) 的居民更有可能报告陪伴关系。长期居民作为同伴更受欢迎 (p < .01)。住在同一楼层的居民 (p < .001) 或年龄相近的居民 (p < .01) 之间更有可能建立友谊。 讨论 这项研究通过详细描述 AL 社区内的熟人和同伴网络、量化居民社会关系的相关性以及区分熟人和同伴，为老年人非亲属社会关系的文献做出了贡献。