Friend Interaction, Competence, and Morale in Old Age

Abstract

Though social gerontologists have long contended that friend relations are important for successful aging, relatively few studies have examined the qualitative dimensions of such interpersonal relationships. This inquiry is based on interviews with 104 randomly selected adults 65 years of age and older. The criterion variable, morale, is examined within the context of friend role competence and both face-to-face and phone contact with friends. These primary relationships are also examined when controlling on role value, health, income, sex, and marital status. Morale is positively associated with friend role competence under all test-factor conditions. The relationship of the two interaction patterns to morale is inconsistent. It is concluded that friend relations are, in fact, important for successful aging, but in terms of one's definition of effective participation in the role rather than interaction per se.