Diversity of strong and weak ties and loneliness in older adults

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between characteristics of older adults' networks and loneliness. Drawing on a mixed-methods study with primary data from 165 surveys and a subset of 50 in-depth interviews from the broader sample, we examine whether and how strong and weak ties in an individual's network provide different forms of support in buffering loneliness. Regression models demonstrate that a higher frequency of contacts with strong ties, rather than the number of strong ties, is associated with lower levels of loneliness. In contrast, a greater number of weak ties is related to lower levels of loneliness. Our qualitative interview data shows that strong ties are susceptible to re..