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Social Networks and Patterns of Social Interaction among Ever-Single and Separated/Divorced Elderly Canadians*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Laurel A. Strain  and
Barbara J. Payne
Laurel A. Strain
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Barbara J. Payne
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Abstract

This paper examines the social networks and patterns of social interactions of two relatively neglected marital status groups of elders, namely the ever-single and the separated/divorced. Drawing on data from the 1985 General Social Survey conducted by Statistics Canada, comparisons are made both between and among the 224 ever-single and 126 separated/divorced Canadians aged 65 and over. When controlling for age, gender, education and health status, ever-single individuals tend to have smaller family networks, a similar number of friends, and similar living arrangements as the separated/divorced. In-person contact with siblings is significantly associated with being ever-single while no differences emerge for contact with other relatives or with friends. Differences among the ever-single and among the separated/divorced are also assessed.

Résumé

Cet article examine les réseaux sociaux de deux groupes de personnes âgées dont le statut matrimonial est relativement négligé: les personnes célibataires et les divorcées ou séparées. A partir des données d'une étude sociale menée en 1985 par Statistiques Canada, des comparaisons ont été établies entre ces deux groupes de personnes âgées de soixante-cinq ans et plus (224 célibataires et 126 séparées ou divorcées). Après vérification de l'âge, du sexe, de l'éducation et de l'état de santé, il apparaît que les sujets célibataires semblent dotés d'un réseau familial plus restreint. Par contre, en ce qui concerne le nombre d'amis et le mode de vie, on n'a pas noté de différence par rapport aux personnes séparées ou divorcées. Des contacts personnels avec les frères et soeurs ont été associés de façon significative à la condition de célibataire, ce qui n'a pas été le cas pour des contacts avec d'autres parents ou amis. Cette étude a également donné lieu à une évaluation des différences existant entre les célibataires et les personnes séparées ou divorcées.

Keywords

Marital StatusSingleDivorcedSocial NetworksSocial InteractionSocial ContactsElderlySituation matrimonialecélibatairedivorcéréseaux sociauxinteraction socialerencontrespersonnes âgées
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , Spring/printemps 1992 , pp. 31 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1992

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