Enduring Bonds: Duration and Contact in Close Relationships in Late Life

Abstract

Background and Objectives Older adults maintain ties to long-duration social partners, some with whom have regular contact, and some with whom have little contact. We asked whether these ties with little contact still offer a sense of connection and security, and buffer effects of interpersonal stress in daily life. Helping older adults foster these ties may improve their mental health. Research Design and Methods Participants (n = 313) aged 65+ completed a baseline interview reporting duration and contact frequency of their closest ties. Then, participants completed ecological momentary assessments every 3 hours for 5 to 6 days, reporting their social encounters and mood. Results We classified ties according to duration (10+ years = long- vs. shorter-duration) and frequency of contact (at least once a month = active vs. dormant). Throughout the day, participants were more likely to have stressful encounters with long-duration active ties. Encounters with active ties were associated with more positive mood (regardless of duration) and encounters with long-duration dormant ties with more negative mood. Having more active ties buffered effects of interpersonal stress on mood but more long-duration dormant ties exacerbated these effects. Discussion and Implications Supporting social integration theory, ties with frequent contact were associated with positive mood. Surprisingly, long-duration ties with infrequent contact exacerbated effects of interpersonal stress on mood. Older adults who lack contact with long duration social partners may be more sensitive to interpersonal stress. Future interventions might focus on phone or electronic media to increase contact with long-duration social partners.