Older people--Psychology

The present study was designed to examine the effects of gender and relationship on the quantity and quality of daily social interaction for senior citizens. Eighty-two women and 32 men (mean age 71 years) used the Rochester Interaction Record to record quantitative and qualitative information about every interaction which lasted more than 10 minutes for 2 weeks. Gender analyses revealed that same-gender interaction was most common for all participants (spouse excluded). Males and females reported that interactions with females only were more intimate than interactions with males only or with mixed-gender others. Spousal analyses showed that participants interacted with spouse as much as with same-gender others, however, spousal interactions were reported to be more intimate than same or opposite-gender interactions. Participants reported interacting with nonfamily more than with family. In addition, interactions with family were reported to be qualitatively equal to interactions with nonfamily. For future research it will be important to consider how these quantitative and qualitative characteristics of interaction relate to well-being.

The qualitative phenomenological method of Van Manen (1984, 1990) was utilized to illuminate the meaning having a companion animal holds for non-institutionalized adults age 65 and older. Twenty-one written narratives revealed a familial kinship of shared love and companionship. The revelation of elders that their companion animals are family was the primary finding of the study. Indicators of family membership included love and companionship. Love was found to be a blend of three components: Mother-child affection; unconditional positive regard; and the joy of caring for another living being. Companionship between persons in later life and their companion animals was found to be a blend of: Communication; a warm welcome home; shared space, activities of daily living, and playtime; increased social interaction; and caring for self in order to care for another.