A friend in need? Exploring the influence of disease and disability onset on the number of close friends among older adults.

OBJECTIVES: This research examines whether onset of life-threatening disease (i.e., cancer, lung disease, heart disease, or stroke) or Activities of Daily Living (ADL) disability influences the reported number of close friends.

METHODS: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2006-2012), this research capitalizes on panel data to assess changes in number of close friends over a four-year period. Lagged dependent variable (LDV) and change score (CS) approaches were employed.

RESULTS: Both the LDV and CS models provide evidence that onset of life-threatening disease was associated with reporting more friends four years later. In particular, onset of cancer was associated with reporting more close friends.

DISCUSSION: This research provides evidence of the network activation hypothesis following onset of life-threatening disease among older adults.