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Survivors: Support network variation and sources of help in rural communities

  • Longitudinal Studies
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Abstract

This paper analyses data on survivors (N=199) in a longitudinal study conducted in North Wales 1979–87. A typology of support networks is presented, and an association between sources of help (emotional support, common problems, domestic chores, and personal care) and type of support network is demonstrated. Sources of help shift over time, and the nature of the shift is also related to network type with some types of networks relying more heavily on formal services as time passes. Since the distribution of network types is related to community/neighbourhood/locality, the local distribution of network types has important implications for service provision.

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In the preparation of this paper, G. Clare Wenger has been responsible for the research design, conceptualization, writing and interpretation, and Said Shahtahmasebi for data processing and preparation of graphics.

Based on a longitudinal study funded by the Department of Health and Social Security/Welsh Office (1978-89) and the Economic and Social Research Council Grant No. G0023 2334 (1986-89).

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Wenger, G.C., Shahtahmasebi, S. Survivors: Support network variation and sources of help in rural communities. J Cross-Cultural Gerontol 6, 41–82 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00117111

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