Social Connections Over the Life Course: Appreciating Distinct Dimensions of Social Connections.

ABSTRACT: Despite growing attention to the social isolation crisis in the U.S., it remains unclear whether Americans experience a decline in social connection with age. Given the complex nature of social connections, this study argues that we need to ask a different question - which domains of social connections decline with age. Using representative egocentric network data (Person-to-Person Health Interview; N = 2,603) to measure core discussion networks and representative time-diary data (American Time Use Survey; N = 35,900) to measure daily social interactions, we find diverging age differences across two dimensions of social connections. These results present a complex picture of social connections. Specifically, people maintain a consistent core discussion network of confidants a

SUBMITTER: Peng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12462710 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature