Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) has been used successfully to explain age differences in interpersonal conflict behavior: older adults are generally less likely to engage in destructive responses, and more likely to employ nonconfrontational ones. However, this research has focused almost exclusively on conflict with intimates (spouses,…

This study examined reminiscence functions and vivid (i.e., landmark) personal memories in nine samples ranging from the teens to the nineties. Participants (n = 198) ranging in age from 18-95 years completed the Reminiscence Functions Scale (Webster, 1997) and described a vivid personal memory which was subsequently rated for frequency of recall,…

Examined meaning and maintenance of friend relationships among 41 male and 74 female older adults. Men and women tended to agree on characteristics of friend; gender differences emerged when they differentiated between "friend" and "close friend." Older women were more likely than older men to consider friends made earlier in life as still part of…

Examined validity of the postulated perceptual style-personality dimension of modulation of stimulus intensity in two elderly samples. Results indicated a significant linear relationship between kinesthetic aftereffect and degree of social engagement, life attitudes, and items previously validated with young adults. Discusses implications for…

Reports on observations of interpersonal touching behavior patterns among residents of homes for the elderly. Analyzes behavior for Blacks and Whites, males and females, in terms of who initiates touching and parts of the body touched and used for touching. (JMF)

Identified five sources of death anxiety. Significant relationships were observed between each source and experimental factors. The relationship between death anxiety and attitude toward voluntary passive euthanasia was explored, and a significant correlation was noted among elderly persons. Results were consistent with an idiographic orientation…

Areas of morale, health, perceived income adequacy, stress, interaction with family and friends, and attitude toward life in retirement, were examined to determine the existence, degree, and direction of sex differences among widowed persons. Survey data from 161 widowed respondents from a study of 1100 adults aged 50 or older were analyzed.…

Reports the reliability and validity of the Health Professional-Geriatric Patient Interaction Behavior Rating Code, an observational instrument that is used to quantify the interpersonal behaviors of health professionals in the care of the geriatric patient. Condensed 15 behavioral factors into 10 operationally defined behavioral categories.…

Patterns of friendship among intellectually intact nursing home patients were studied about relationships with other nursing home residents, staff, volunteers, and friends outside the institution. Findings demonstrated two-thirds of the patient-respondents named residents as friends, two-thirds named staff, and one-half named volunteers. Presented…

The relationship of family variables to locus of control, under the hypothesis that a larger and more cohesive family provides greater reinforcement for the elderly person's actions was investigated. Elderly persons (N=200) aged 60-90 were interviewed at home and given Rotter's I-E scale. In a regression analysis, after removing effects of age and…

Family involvement is compared with friendship and neighboring to determine which has a greater impact upon the personal morale of the 409 elderly widows who were surveyed. Contact with family members, does little to elevate morale, while friendship-neighboring is clearly related to less loneliness and worry. (Author)

Young and middle-aged adults contrast with aged adults in their reactions to sudden economic expansion in a small town favored by many as their retirement community. During anthropological research in this community, conflicts between various age strata were noted to be more intense when persons are strangers. (Author)

Studied interactions between 40 elderly nursing home residents and their social partners. Results showed discrepant social contingencies for different resident behaviors, i.e., dependent self-care behaviors received continuous supportive responses, where independent self-care behaviors, obstructively engaged and nonengaged behaviors received no…

Sibling relationships are not only maintained throughout life in most cases, but assume considerable importance in old age. Siblings provide psychological support for each other as well as more tangible forms of helping and caregiving. In order to investigate variables leading to sibling help in the area of psychological support, a path model…