1. Enduring Bonds: Duration and Contact in Close Relationships in Late Life.
- Author
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Fingerman, Karen, Zhou, Zexi, Huo, Meng, Luong, Gloria, and Birditt, Kira
- Subjects
Attachment theory ,Close ties ,Social integration theory ,Socioemotional selectivity theory ,Humans ,Aged ,Interpersonal Relations ,Affect ,Social Integration ,Mental Health - Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Older adults maintain ties to long-duration social partners, some with whom have regular contact and some with whom have little contact. We asked whether these ties with little contact still offer a sense of connection and security, and buffer the effects of interpersonal stress in daily life. Helping older adults foster these ties may improve their mental health. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants (n = 313) aged 65+ completed a baseline interview reporting duration and contact frequency of their closest ties. Then, participants completed ecological momentary assessments every 3 hr for 5-6 days, reporting their social encounters and mood. RESULTS: We classified ties according to duration (10+ years = long vs shorter duration) and frequency of contact (at least once a month = active vs dormant). Throughout the day, participants were more likely to have stressful encounters with long-duration active ties. Encounters with active ties were associated with more positive mood (regardless of duration) and encounters with long-duration dormant ties with more negative mood. Having more active ties buffered effects of interpersonal stress on mood, but more long-duration dormant ties exacerbated these effects. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Supporting social integration theory, ties with frequent contact were associated with positive mood. Surprisingly, long-duration ties with infrequent contact exacerbated effects of interpersonal stress on mood. Older adults who lack contact with long-duration social partners may be more sensitive to interpersonal stress. Future interventions might focus on phone or electronic media to increase contact with long-duration social partners.
- Published
- 2024