A study of 180 workers who returned to work after retirement found that they are satisfied with their new jobs and get along well with co-workers and management. (JOW)

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 patronization of young adults by older adults. Young adults were provided with single vignette of short conversation between older and younger person. Eight versions of vignette were devised independently varying elder's age and speech style (neutral versus nonlistening versus disapproving versus parental). Patronizing elders were…

Tests a path model of the mediational effects of the quality of relationships between spouse caregivers (N=75) and their impaired partners. Emotional closeness mediated the impact of the partner's cognitive impairment, but not functional impairment, on the caregiver's subjective effectiveness. Conflict had a direct but not a mediating influence on…

Data from a survey of social activities of adults aged 70 or older reflect fairly extensive social involvement, a positive state of affairs given that social activity is crucial to maintaining physical and psychological well-being. Findings affirm the importance of sustaining long-term friendships and social networks of moderate density,…

Studies marital relations of 469 Israeli couples, in late adulthood, categorized as synchronous (either both pre-retired or both retired) and asynchronous (one spouse working and one retired). Examines differences between the groups for division of household tasks, power relations, and quality of marriage. Martial power relations were generally…

The purpose of this exploratory, phenomenological-hermeneutic study was to explore the experience of non-problem gambling by older adults. Twelve older gamblers were identified as non-problem gamblers using two gambling screens and participated in in-depth interviews about their experience of gambling. Two major themes emerged from the interviews:…

This study explores how cohabitation differs for older and younger adults, drawing on data from 966 cohabitors in each of the first 2 waves of the National Survey of Families and Households. Older cohabitors report significantly higher levels of relationship quality and stability than younger cohabitors, although they are less likely to have plans…

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of 18 senior adults about successful aging and the role of learning in the process of adapting to age-related changes. Findings indicated that successful aging involves engaging with others; coping with changes; and maintaining physical, mental, and financial health. Within these themes, learning…

Parents and children are faced with a variety of challenges over the course of their lives together, yet most research centers only on the early stages of the family life cycle. One major change occurs as parents grow older and need increasing amounts of help from their children. Kelley has developed a general theory of personal relationships…

A group of 100 members of senior citizen centers was interviewed to determine educational implications of affiliation phenomenon. A modified semantic differential technique was used to determine the rank ordering of four affiliation factors. The results showed that members tend to affiliate with groups primarily to gather new information. (Author)

One hundred eighty children between the ages of three and eleven were questioned on how they felt about growing older, what they knew of older people, and how they interacted with people who were older than they. (Author/MJB)

Survey of 928 older Bostonians indicated low levels of alcohol consumption with high levels of abstinence among women, Blacks, Jews, widowed persons, foreign-born, those with little formal education, and those aged 75 years or older. The data suggest that older people drink mainly in social contexts and to facilitate social interaction.…

Compared the interpersonal involvement and morale of elderly persons residing in the community (N=154) and senior citizen housing (N=78). The senior housing residents had slightly larger and more supportive interpersonal networks but less contact with their closest friends. No differences were found in the two housing groups' life satisfaction.…

Some aspects of the relationship between young adult grandchildren and grandparents are examined. Results suggested the grandparent's kin position relative to the grandchild was a critical variable, more so than the grandparent's sex, in influencing the intensity of the bond. Other results are reviewed. (Author)