The SoCA program examines the social functioning of individuals who are aging, including networks, participation, and their effects on well-being, health, and care use, within the context of individualization, changing family structures, and a retreating welfare state. Differences are studied using qualitative and quantitative data, focusing on factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, and migration background.
The SoCA program focuses on understanding and enhancing the social functioning of individuals who are aging. Social functioning includes engagement in social networks (both kin and non-kin), participation in society (such as work, volunteering, and informal caregiving), and its impact on well-being, health, and care use. This is framed within the broader societal context of individualization, changing family structures, increasing ICT usage, and a retreating welfare state. Differences are examined based on, among others, socioeconomic status, gender, and migration background.
SoCA utilizes a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data, including the 30-year Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) and additional datasets. Using cross-sectional, longitudinal, and cohort-sequential research designs, and mixed methods it analyzes various dimensions of social functioning. SoCA provides essential insights to anticipate the challenges of an aging population and the implications of a retreating welfare state.
SoCA is coordinated by Martijn Huisman (ma.huisman@amsterdamumc.nl)
