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Social Network Type and Long-Term Condition Management Support: A Cross-Sectional Study in Six European Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Ivaylo Vassilev
  • Anne Rogers
  • Anne Kennedy
  • Michel Wensing
  • Jan Koetsenruijter
  • Rosanna Orlando
  • Maria Carmen Portillo
  • David Culliford

Abstract

Background: Network types and characteristics have been linked to the capacity of inter-personal environments to mobilise and share resources. The aim of this paper is to examine personal network types in relation to long-term condition management in order to identify the properties of network types most likely to provide support for those with a long-term condition. Method: A cross-sectional observational survey of people with type 2 diabetes using interviews and questionnaires was conducted between April and October 2013 in six European countries: Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Norway, United Kingdom, and Netherlands. 1862 people with predominantly lower socio-economic status were recruited from each country. We used k-means clustering analysis to derive the network types, and one-way analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between network type socio-economic characteristics, self-management monitoring and skills, well-being, and network member work. Results: Five network types of people with long-term conditions were identified: restricted, minimal family, family, weak ties, and diverse. Restricted network types represented those with the poorest self-management skills and were associated with limited support from social network members. Restricted networks were associated with poor indicators across self-management capacity, network support, and well-being. Diverse networks were associated with more enhanced self-management skills amongst those with a long-term condition and high level of emotional support. It was the three network types which had a large number of network members (diverse, weak ties, and family) where healthcare utilisation was most likely to correspond to existing health needs. Discussion: Our findings suggest that type of increased social involvement is linked to greater self-management capacity and potentially lower formal health care costs indicating that diverse networks constitute the optimal network type as a policy in terms of the design of LTCM interventions and building support for people with LTCs.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivaylo Vassilev & Anne Rogers & Anne Kennedy & Michel Wensing & Jan Koetsenruijter & Rosanna Orlando & Maria Carmen Portillo & David Culliford, 2016. "Social Network Type and Long-Term Condition Management Support: A Cross-Sectional Study in Six European Countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0161027
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Koetsenruijter & Jan van Lieshout & Christos Lionis & Maria Carmen Portillo & Ivo Vassilev & Elka Todorova & Christina Foss & Manuel Serrano Gil & Ingrid Ruud Knutsen & Agapi Angelaki & Agurtzane , 2015. "Social Support and Health in Diabetes Patients: An Observational Study in Six European Countries in an Era of Austerity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    6. Ivaylo Vassilev & Anne Rogers & Christian Blickem & Helen Brooks & Dharmi Kapadia & Anne Kennedy & Caroline Sanders & Sue Kirk & David Reeves, 2013. "Social Networks, the ‘Work’ and Work Force of Chronic Illness Self-Management: A Survey Analysis of Personal Communities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-13, April.
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    1. Sónia Guadalupe & Henrique Testa Vicente, 2022. "Types of Personal Social Networks of Older Adults in Portugal," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 445-466, April.
    2. Rosario Fernández-Peña & José Luis Molina & Oliver Valero, 2018. "Personal Network Analysis in the Study of Social Support: The Case of Chronic Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Leire Ambrosio & Mari Carmen Portillo & Carmen Rodriguez‐Blazquez & Jose Manuel Rojo & Pablo Martinez‐Martin & EC‐PC Validation Group, 2019. "Influencing factors when living with Parkinson’s disease: A cross‐sectional study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(17-18), pages 3168-3176, September.
    4. Amanda Wilkinson & Lucy Bowen & Elias Gustavsson & Simon Håkansson & Nicole Littleton & James McCormick & Michelle Thompson & Hilda Mulligan, 2019. "Maintenance and Development of Social Connection by People with Long-term Conditions: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-11, May.

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