Access to Network Social Capital and Health Outcomes in Later Life: Understanding the Role of Tie Strength

Our study contributes to the scholarship by examining the concrete ways in which two distinct types of interpersonal connection—strong/close versus weak/distant—are independently related to self-rated health and life satisfaction cross-nationally. In addition, we explore whether and how the two types of interpersonal connection modify the magnitude of the associations between subjective social status (SSS) and health and well-being of older populations cross-nationally. According to results from our multilevel analysis, social capital available through strong ties (family and friends) is positively associated with both outcomes. On the other hand, social capital via weak ties (acquaintances) is positively related to health but negatively related to well-being. We also find that social capital mediated by strong ties significantly buffers the harmful implications of status disadvantage or low SSS on health and well-being of older adults. In comparison, weak tie-mediated social capital provides buffering against status disadvantage only for well-being.