Social support network: changes throughout the life cycle

Abstract

The social support network is very important in old age. Extensive empirical evidence shows its relationship to the biopsychosocial being in this stage of life. However, it has been shown that the social support network suffers severe disruptions in old age that can affect its functionality and its ability to respond to assistance needs. In this article, based on several research findings, we will analyze the social support bonds available in old age and the changes in the social support network that occur in a lifespan. Several studies show that in old age bond losses may occur. However, we will show that old people maintain and optimize relationships that have been established in earlier stages of their lives and new bonds are added to the network. The general conclusion is that the coexistence of gains and losses in old age proposed in the lifespan theory is also present in the social support network. In addition, we noted that this social support network is very dynamic and it shows variations in both its structure and its functionality as well as in its bonds' attributes.