Personal effort in social relationships across adulthood

Lang F, Wagner J, Wrzus C, Neyer FJ (2013)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2013

Journal

Psychology and Aging American Psychological Association

Original Authors: Lang Frieder R., Wagner J., Wrzus C., Neyer F.J.

Publisher: American Psychological Association

Book Volume: 28

Pages Range: 529-539

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1037/a0032221

Abstract

We explored age differences in the amount of personal effort that people put forth to maintain relationships across adulthood in diverse family-life contexts. More specifically, we examined how personal effort in social relationships is age-differently related to emotional closeness and perceptions of reciprocity. A total of 658 early-midlife (37 years) and old-age adults (73 years) from three life contexts (biological parents, parents from blended families with at least one stepchild, childless individuals) completed a questionnaire assessing ego-centered social networks, relationship quality, perceived conflict, and personal characteristics. As expected, perceived relationship effort was more pronounced and more strongly associated with emotional closeness in old age than in early midlife. In both age groups, perceived effort was comparably associated with reciprocity and conflict. Such associations were similar across the different life contexts. The findings suggest that perceived personal effort in social relationships contributes to the proactive shaping of social worlds across adulthood. © 2013 American Psychological Association.

Authors with CRIS profile

Frieder Lang Lehrstuhl für Psychogerontologie

Involved external institutions

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin DE Germany (DE) Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung (MPIB) / Max Planck Institute for Human Development DE Germany (DE) Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lang, F., Wagner, J., Wrzus, C., & Neyer, F.J. (2013). Personal effort in social relationships across adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 28(2), 529-539. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032221

MLA:

Lang, Frieder, et al. "Personal effort in social relationships across adulthood." Psychology and Aging 28.2 (2013): 529-539.

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