Social support, social strain, loneliness, and well-being among older adults: An analysis of the Health and Retirement Study

被引:333
作者
Chen, Yixin [1 ]
Feeley, Thomas Hugh [1 ]
机构
[1] SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA
关键词
Interpersonal communication; loneliness; older adults; social contact; social interactions; social strain; social support; well-being; CROSS-LAGGED ANALYSES; QUALITY-OF-LIFE; INTERGENERATIONAL AMBIVALENCE; DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY; RELATIVE IMPORTANCE; SOLIDARITY; FRIENDSHIP; EXCHANGES; NETWORK; STRESS;
D O I
10.1177/0265407513488728
中图分类号
G2 [信息与知识传播];
学科分类号
05 ; 0503 ;
摘要
This study proposed that, among older adults, higher support and lower strain received from each of the four relational sources (spouse/partner, children, family, and friends) were associated with reduced loneliness and improved well-being and that loneliness might mediate the relationship between support/strain and well-being. Structural equation modeling was conducted using a national sample of adults aged 50 years and older (N=7,367) from the Health and Retirement Study. Findings indicated that support from spouse/partner and friends alleviated loneliness, while strain from all the four sources intensified loneliness; higher support and lower strain from various sources directly and indirectly improved well-being, with indirect effects mediated through reduced loneliness. It was concluded that, in later life, various sources of support/strain engender distinct effects on loneliness and well-being, and loneliness serves as one of the psychological pathways linking support/strain to well-being.
引用
收藏
页码:141 / 161
页数:21
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