Universität zu Köln

Steinhoff, Paula ORCID: 0009-0001-2973-963X (2025). Social Networks, Health Behaviour, and Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

Social epidemiological research has shown that social embeddedness is crucial for physical and mental health and overall well-being, especially among older adults. This dissertation examines the links between social relationships, health behaviour and well-being in middle-aged and older adults and is divided into two pillars: The first pillar focuses on social support and health behaviour, in particular the relationship between social support and physical activity. The second pillar analyses the relationship between social networks and well-being using an empirical-qualitative network approach. For Pillar 1 (Study 1), a scoping review of 116 studies was conducted to examine the relationship between social support and physical activity in older adults. For Pillar 2 (Studies 2 and 3), a qualitative network analysis was conducted based on 28 qualitative interviews and 25 unstructured egocentric network maps. Study 2 analysed middle-aged and older adults' perceptions of well-being and the contribution of their personal networks to their well-being. Study 3 analysed the use of personal networks to maintain or improve well-being. Overall, the dissertation shows a predominantly positive relationship between social networks, health and well-being in middle-aged and older adults. Each of the three studies examined different aspects of social integration (social support, social engagement and social networks) and their relationship with health outcomes. The findings underline the importance of social integration for health and well-being and highlight the interrelatedness of different components of social integration, underlining the complexity of this area of research. While the extensive evidence from all three studies generally points to a positive relationship, each study also identified instances where social relationships can be detrimental to health and well-being. This highlights the importance of considering possible negative aspects of social relationships.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Translated title:	Title Language Soziale Netzwerke, Gesundheitsverhalten und Wohlbefinden bei Erwachsenen im mittleren und höheren Lebensalter UNSPECIFIED
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Steinhoff, Paula paula.steinhoff@wiso.uni-koeln.de orcid.org/0009-0001-2973-963X UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-785860
Date:	2025
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Sociology and Social Psychology > Department of Scociology
Subjects:	Social sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language social network analysis English health behaviour English well-being English middle-aged adults English older adults English physical activity English scoping review English social support English volunteering English qualitative network interviews English Soziale Netzwerkanalyse German Gesundheitsverhalten German Wohlbefinden German soziale Unterstützung German qualitative Netzwerk Interviews UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	7 July 2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Ellwardt, Lea Prof. Dr. Hank, Karsten Prof. Dr.
Open access funding:	This work has been funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 454899704 and 454899823.
Funders:	This work has been funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – 454899704 and 454899823.
Projects:	Soziale Netzwerke und Wohlbefinden: Eine Multimethodenstudie in einer älteren Gemeinschaft
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/78586