Age-Related Changes in Emotional Qualities of the Social Network From Middle Adulthood Into Old Age: How Do They Relate to the Experience of Loneliness?

Research shows that people maintain fewer social ties and social activities when they grow older. There appears, however, to be little variation in the average loneliness level from middle adulthood into old age. In this study we investigate to what extent beneficial changes in emotional qualities of the social network (SNW; number of distressing relationships, number of pleasant relationships, relationship satisfaction) may help to prevent an age-related increase in loneliness. We concentrate in particular on the question as to whether these emotional qualities become more relevant for predicting loneliness when people grow older. Data for this study comes from 10,900 participants of the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) that have been observed over up to 9 years of study. The dynamics of emotional qualities of the SNW and loneliness are examined over a broad age range of 40 to 84 years by using an accelerated longitudinal data design. The results of our analyses suggest that age-related changes in emotional qualities of the SNW are marked by both gains and losses. On the one hand, people report fewer distressing ties and a higher satisfaction with family relations when they grow older. On the other hand, older adults are less satisfied with their friendships and acquaintances. The number of pleasant ties demonstrates little variation with age. All emotional qualities of the SNW considered in this study were found to be relevant for predicting a person's level of loneliness. Other than expected, however, predictive effects were similar over age groups.