Interviewed 53 noninstitutionalized elderly to examine patterns of exchange of assistance within their informal helping networks. Results suggest inability to reciprocate rather than need for assistance had a greater negative effect on morale. There was a negative relationship between formal service use and reliance on the informal network.…

Focused on the exchange of aid between older persons and their children. Hypotheses regarding relationships between mutual aid and the morale of the elderly were developed and tested on a sample of 403 parents aged 60 and over. No relationships between morale and the exchange of aid were found. (Author)

Investigates net effect of marital satisfaction on morale for a sample of married residents aged 60 and over. Results indicate existence of a positive effect and this effect appears notably stronger for females. (Author)

Examined the differential effect of kinship and friendship relationships on the life satisfaction of older people. The data indicated the relatively greater importance of friends over grandchildren for maintaining morale in old age. (Author)