Social Network Relationships and Use of Physician Services

Abstract

The typology of social network relationships proposed by Rundall and Evashwick (1982) is reexamined in light of data from a survey of a random sample of noninstitutionalized elderly. The original four types of relationships (engaged, disengaged, trapped, and abandoned) are extended to include "discontented' and "alienated" relationships. Hypotheses derived from the typology are tested with data on use of physician services. The most common types of relationships found in this sample are the engaged, disengaged, and abandoned. Of these, the abandoned have the highest average number of physician visits. Promising avenues of further investigation are noted.