Social Network Types, Health, and Health-Care Use Among South Korean Older Adults

This study examines the associations among social network types, multiple health conditions, and various health-care use. Data came from the 2006 and 2008 wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. A two-step cluster analytical approach was used to identify social network types. Regression models determined associations between social network types, health changes, and health-care use, including checkups, outpatient service, traditional medicine use, and hospitalization. Four social network types (restricted, couple focused, friend, and diverse) were found. Compared with the restricted type, individuals in the couple-focused type were more likely to use traditional medicine and outpatient care; members in the diverse type were more likely to use traditional medicine. The interaction model revealed varying associations between health change and social network on health-care use. Findings reveal the culturally contextualized association among multiple health conditions and how social network type moderates the relationship with health-care use.