Friendship & Helping Others Linked to Well-being in Later Life
For older adults, maintaining strong friendships and offering practical support to those friends can significantly contribute to happiness and a sense of purpose. (Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News)
A recent study from the University of michigan reveals a strong connection between social connection and emotional health in aging adults. Researchers found that older adults who regularly provide practical assistance – like transportation or help with tasks – to close friends experience more positive emotions throughout the day.
The research, published in the journal Research on Aging, involved tracking the daily moods and social interactions of 180 individuals over the age of 74 in the Austin, Texas area.Participants reported their experiences every three hours for nearly a week.
While both men and women benefit from these friendships, the type of support offered appears to impact emotional well-being differently. The study showed older women generally maintained a consistent positive mood when providing emotional support to friends. though, older men reported feeling less positive on days they offered emotional comfort.
“Offering emotional support to friends might potentially be linked to a lower positive mood for older men,” explained Crystal Ng, a researcher at the University of michigan’s Survey Research Center. “This could be due to the act of expressing empathy or discussing emotions, perhaps conflicting with traditional masculine roles and leading to discomfort.”
The study highlighted that practical help was a common form of support, alongside emotional support and advice-giving. Researchers noted that men’s friendships often revolve around shared activities, while women’s tend to prioritize emotional closeness and communication.
Ng emphasized the importance of chosen relationships, especially for those who are unmarried, widowed, divorced, single, or without children. “Since friends are chosen and usually bring joy, they can be especially important for emotional well-being in older age.”
Beyond benefiting the recipient,providing practical assistance can reinforce an older adult’s sense of usefulness and engagement. The effort involved in helping others can contribute to a stronger sense of purpose. Researchers suggest that programs aimed at promoting well-being in older men shoudl consider focusing on opportunities for active, hands-on support, or explore ways to make emotional support exchanges more meaningful.
Future research will focus on understanding the motivations behind older adults’ willingness to provide caregiving to their friends.
This study was supported by the National Institute on Aging.
More information: The American Psychological Association offers further insights on the benefits of friendship for health: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/cover-story-science-friendship
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