Search

Objectives This study investigates church-based informal social support among older African Americans and Black Caribbeans. In particular, we examine the correlates of receiving emotional support as well as negative interactions (e.g., criticisms) from church members. Methods The analysis is based on the older African American (n = 829) and Black Caribbean (n = 271) subsample of the National Survey of American Life. The analysis utilizes multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a model of church support networks. Results There were no significant differences between older African Americans and older Black Caribbeans in the frequency of service attendance, contact with church members (seeing, writing, talking), emotional support from church members, or negative interactions with church members. However, a comparison of SEM analysis indicates that the number and pattern of relationships are different. For instance, among African Americans church attendance was associated with emotional support, but among Black Caribbeans attendance did not have a direct or indirect effect on emotional support. Our findings also indicate that among older African Americans, women attend religious services more frequently and both receive emotional support and engage in negative interactions with church members more frequently than men. Among Black Caribbeans, however, men attend religious services less frequently than women but also have more negative interactions with church members. Discussion For both African American and Black Caribbean older adults, church members are an important element of their social support networks. Our analysis also underscores the importance of contact with church members for receiving emotional support for both populations.

ObjectivesDiscrimination is associated with several negative social, economic, and health consequences. Past research focuses on the impact of discrimination while less is known about both the type and correlates of discrimination, particularly among older adults.MethodsUsing the National Survey of American Life, we used latent class analysis to identify discrimination typologies (frequency and type) among African Americans aged 55 and older. We then used multinomial logistic regression to identify demographic correlates of discrimination types, including a statistical interaction between gender and educational attainment.ResultsWe identified three discrimination typologies. Increasing age was associated with lower probability of belonging to the high discrimination and disrespect and condescension subtypes. Men and non-Southern residents were most likely to belong in the high discrimination subtype. Higher levels of education increased the probability of belonging in the high discrimination and disrespect and condescension subtypes for older men, but not women.DiscussionOlder African American men, particularly those with more education, are vulnerable to both high-frequency discrimination and discrimination characterized by disrespect and condescension. This finding suggests that, for men with more years of education, increased exposure to discrimination reflects efforts to maintain social hierarchies (male target hypothesis).

Objectives Social isolation is a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health among older adults. This study investigates the correlates of objective social isolation among older African Americans, Black Caribbean immigrants, and non-Hispanic Whites. Methods The analysis is based on the older subsample (n = 1,439) of the National Survey of American Life. There are eight indicators of objective social isolation: no contact with neighbors, neighborhood groups, friends, family members, religious congregation members, not being married and no romantic involvement, living alone, and not being a parent. Results Very few older Americans are socially isolated from family and friends. Non-Hispanic Whites are more likely than both African Americans and Black Caribbeans to live alone, to be childless, and have limited contact with religious congregation members. For both African Americans and Black Caribbeans, being female is protective against social isolation, but for both populations, men are more likely to be married or have a romantic partner. For African Americans, residing in the South is also protective against social isolation. Discussion This analysis provides greater clarity on racial and ethnic differences in social isolation among older adults, as well as within-group differences in objective social isolation among African Americans and Black Caribbeans.

Social support networks are an integral component of an individual’s life. This presentation investigates the complementary roles of family and church members as sources of informal social support among African Americans. The analysis utilizes the African American sub-sample of the National Survey of American Life. A pattern variable was constructed that describes four types of church and family networks: 1) received support from both family and church members, 2) received support from family members only, 3) received support from church members only, and 4) never received support from family nor church members. Overall the findings indicated 1) the majority of African Americans received support from both groups, 2) a small group of respondents were socially isolated in that they did not receive assistance from either family or church members, 3) for some African Americans who were estranged from their family members, church members were an alternative source of social support. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Religion, Spirituality and Aging Interest Group.

This study proposed and tested a measurement model of religiosity among a sample of older (55 years of age and above) Black Americans. This model incorporates three correlated dimensions of religious involvement, termed organizational, nonorganizational, and subjective religiosity. Findings indicate that the proposed model provides a good fit to the data, is preferable to other alternative models, and exhibits convergent validity with respect to exogenous or antecedent variables (age, gender, marital status, income, education, urbanicity, and region) known to predict religious involvement. In addition, these antecedents exhibit stronger effects on subjective religiosity than on the two more behavioral dimensions of religiosity. Interpretation of these status-group differences in religiosity focuses on socialization experiences and social environment factors which may promote a religious world-view.

The correlates of three characteristics of familial networks (i.e., residential proximity, family affection, and family contact) were examined among a national sample of older Black Americans. Overall, the findings indicated high levels of interaction and strong emotional bonds between older Black adults and their extended families. While the oldest respondents were less likely to reside near immediate family and other relatives, there were no age differences in levels of contact and emotional closeness. Having an adult child and proximity of relatives facilitated the emotional and social integration of older Black adults in family networks.

This study investigated rates of participation in nonorganizational religious activities of elderly Black adults. Four indicators of participation were examined: reading religious materials, watching or listening to religious programs, prayer, and requests for prayer. Demographic, religious denomination, and health disability factors influenced participation in these behaviors. The findings were discussed for their implications for the development of a multidimensional conceptualization of religiosity.

The purpose of this study was to test for race differences in 17 different measures of prayer. These indicators assess five dimensions of prayer: The social context of prayer, the substantive content of prayer, the length of prayer, interpersonal aspects of prayer, and beliefs about how prayer operates. Pervasive race differences emerged in the data. More specifically, data provided by a nationwide sample of older whites and older African Americans suggest that older blacks are more deeply involved than older whites in 16 of the 17 prayer measures. The length of prayer was the only measure where significant race differences failed to emerge.

Research on the informal support networks of older persons recognizes that network size and composition (i.e., family vs. nonkin) may have important consequences for care. Factors that determine these aspects of networks among older blacks, however, have not been explored systematically. The present study examined the relationship of a group of sociodemographic, health, family, and availability factors to the size and composition of the informal support network. The data were taken from the National Survey of Black Americans and constitute a nationally representative sample (N = 581) of older blacks (55 years and older). The results for several of the sociodemographic factors (i.e., sex and marital status) are consistent with previous work. Regional differences in network dimensions, however, suggest new areas of inquiry. The findings underscore the importance of availability and family factors in support relationships and the relative ineffectiveness of health factors as predictors of network size and composition.

OLDER AGE traditionally has been viewed as a peri d of significant change and transition in family and social relationships, life-style, and personal health. During late maturity, several life occurrences, such as retirement and widowhood, coincide with declines in health and income. These events have the potential for generating significant stress and affecting individual well being. Researchers have been interested in how older individuals respond to these events and whether the physical changes associated with aging constitute impor tant risk factors for poor health outcomes (House & Robbins, 1983). Conversely, social and psychological factors may be important for resisting the effects of stress caused by life events.

the social interaction occurring with in the context of family and friends is of particular importance to elderly blacks.1 Family and para-kin relationships repre sent the primary source of social support for many older black adults.2 These rela tionships are often characterized by mutual assistance, exchange, and support involv ing both material and socioemotional forms of aid. Furthermore, the informal support provided by kin and para-kin may influ ence participation by the elderly in the formal support systems provided by local and federal agencies.3 Given the disad vantaged socioeconomic status of many elderly blacks, it is critical to examine how the informal support network helps them to maintain a viable and independent existence.4