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Social Networks and Self-Rated Health

A Cross-Cultural Examination Among Older Israelis

Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Objective: This article examines the relationship of social network and self-rated health among different cultural groups. Methods: This study examined associations between network structure, interaction, support and social engagement and self-rated health, controlling for sociodemographic background and psychobiological pathways among veteran Jewish-Israelis (n = 2,043), Arab-Israelis (n = 609), and new immigrants from the former Soviet Union (n = 751). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. Results: Three different patterns emerged. The association of social network and self-rated health among the majority veteran Jewish culture in Israel was similar to that found in Western societies. Among Arab-Israelis, self-rated health was explained by more traditional, familial, and communal network dynamics. The characteristic association between social network and self-rated health among the new immigrants was explained by migration-induced factors. Discussion: The findings demonstrate that social networks impact health differently in different cultural groups and under conditions of social change, such as migration in later-life.

Key Words: social network • health • ethnicity • migration • Arab • Israel

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