Subjective Wellbeing through Social Support Networks among Indian Peri-Urban Elderly.

The aim of this study was twofold: firstly, it objectively measured the composite satisfaction index of a social support network on the elderlies' wellbeing; and secondly, identified the subjective pivotal functional roles of the social support networks, which boost their psycho-physical wellbeing. The study is triangulated in nature which follows a multistage cluster sampling method to survey 390 elderly respondents of 60 years and above, residing in a peri-urban district of West Bengal, India. The composite satisfaction index revealed that the satisfaction derived from the components such as family, friends, and neighbours, are correlated with their psycho-physical wellbeing. Further, the principal component analysis is applied here, explores various psycho-social activities enabling the functional roles of the social network by enhancing perceived satisfaction amongst them. The present findings may give directions towards formulating appropriate policies by provisioning the functional roles of social support networks to achieve subjective wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]