Week 11: Social Support for Aging

Question 1

socioemotional selectivity theory (SST)

Answer 1

• Carstensen, 1991
• reduced social activity seen in old age reflects lifelong selection process (superficial relationships filtered out)

two motives to social interactions:

1. information seeking
   
   • time perceived as unlimited
   • acquiring info for a goal
2. emotional regulation
   
   • time perceived as limited
   • fulfilling emotional needs

Question 2

social exchange theory

Answer 2

• social interactions have both rewards (positive) and costs (negative)
• balanced (reciprocity) or unbalanced (power)

Question 3

T or F: adult children tend to perceive giving more support to their older parents than the older parents acknowledge receiving and vice versa

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

loneliness rates are _____ in older adults than they are in younger adults

Answer 4

no higher

Question 5

_____ of social contact matters more than _____

Answer 5

quality, quantity

Question 6

Chen & Feeley, 2014:
social support

primary research question?

Answer 6

do the unique effects of social support and social strain affect loneliness and well-being in older adults?

does loneliness account for the association between social support/strain and well-being in later life?

Question 7

loneliness

corresponding variables?

Answer 7

deficiency in quality and/or quantity of social relationships

corresponding variables:

• frequency of social contact
• feelings of emotional intimacy
• feelings of tension/criticism

Question 8

Chen & Feeley, 2014:
social support

methods?

Answer 8

• telephone questionnaire with self-reported measures of social contact, social support, social strain, loneliness, satisfaction of life

Question 9

Chen & Feeley, 2014:
social support

results?

Answer 9

• higher support and lower strain directly and indirectly improved well-being, with indirect effects mediated through reduced loneliness

Question 10

Chen & Feeley, 2014:
social support

dicussion?

Answer 10

• data supports SST
• social support from spouse and friends reduced loneliness, but social support from children and family did not
• social support alleviated loneliness, while social strain intensified it
• health interventions should focus on enhancing support and minimizing strain to alleviate loneliness

Question 11

Chen & Feeley, 2014:
social support

cautions?

Answer 11

• mental illness may not have been accounted for
• specific to emotional support
• self-reported measures
• “loneliness” likely a multidimensional construct
• correlation does not = causation (no RCT)