Centre for Policy on Ageing



Qualities of older women's friendships — stable or volatile?
Author(s)	Karen A Roberto
Journal title	International Journal of Aging and Human Development, vol 44, no 1, 1997
Pages	pp 1-14
Keywords	Friendship ; Older women ; Quality ; Longitudinal surveys ; United States of America.
Annotation	This study of 74 older American women and their relationships with 91 close friends in 1978/79 and 1992 identified changes and stability in the qualities to which they attributed to their close friendships. Changes were found in seven of the eleven qualities examined: mutual interests; engaging in activities; discussing issues; teaching new ways of thinking; confiding in; discussing how worthwhile one feels; and sharing intimate thoughts. The other qualities assessed were: similar attitudes and values; feeling of belonging; discussing personal problems; and expressing intense feelings. Differences in the women's responses were observed according to which close friend was being discussed, and changes in marital, work and health status.
Accession Number	CPA-970731245 A
Classmark	DS:SX: BD: 59: 3J: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.