In the present study, we use the convoy model (Kahn & Antonucci, 1980) as a general framework for understanding why individuals might belong to different social network types. According to the convoy model, individuals are surrounded by a network of people. The composition and quality of the network is shaped over time by factors that are personal (age, gender, and personality) and situational (role expectations, resources, and demands; see Antonucci, 2001). The “optimal” level of social embeddedness clearly varies by individual, especially among a heterotypic elderly population (Adams & Blieszner, 1995). For example, Krause and colleagues (1990) found that extroverted older adults tend to make more social contacts (especially friendships) than do introverted older adults. Thus, although older individuals have about half as many social relationships as do younger individuals, older individuals with very restricted networks may have always preferred such restricted networks and may not have experienced large reductions in network size over time. In terms of gender, women report providing more support, having more frequent contact with network members, being more satisfied with their friends, and having larger and more multifaceted social networks than do men (Antonucci, 1985, 1990).