Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 1 P4-20, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

REVIEWS

Effects of positive and negative social exchanges with various sources on depressive symptoms in younger and older adults

MA Okun and VM Keith
Psychology Department, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104, USA. iacmao@asuvm.inre.asu.edu

Addressing a previous gap in the gerontological literature, the present study examined the effects of both positive and negative social exchanges within key relationships (spouse, children, and other relatives/friends) on the depressive symptoms of younger (28 to 59 years old) and older (60 to 92 years old) men and women. Separate analyses were carried out on younger adults (N = 452) and older adults (N = 849) who were respondents in the Americans' Changing Lives study. In both age groups, positive and negative social exchanges with the same source were significantly (p < .001), inversely related (rs range from -.23 to -.43); and positive social exchanges exerted stronger net effects on depressive symptoms than negative social exchanges. For older adults, some buffering effects were found when negative and positive social exchanges were associated with different sources; for younger adults, buffering effects were found when negative and positive social exchanges were associated with the same source. These buffering effects were not conditioned by gender. The findings of the present study highlight the importance of taking into account the age of the recipient and the provider-recipient relationship when studying the joint influence of negative and positive social exchanges on adults' depressive symptoms.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. G. Ellison, W. Zhang, N. Krause, and J. P. Marcum Does Negative Interaction in the Church Increase Psychological Distress? Longitudinal Findings from the Presbyterian Panel Survey Sociology of Religion, December 1, 2009; 70(4): 409 - 431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Ward Multiple Parent-Adult Child Relations and Well-Being in Middle and Later Life J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2008; 63(4): S239 - S247. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Panagopoulou, S. Maes, B. Rime, and A. Montgomery Social Sharing of Emotion in Anticipation of Cardiac Surgery: Effects on Preoperative Distress J Health Psychol, September 1, 2006; 11(5): 809 - 820. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Pinquart and S. Sorensen Gender Differences in Caregiver Stressors, Social Resources, and Health: An Updated Meta-Analysis J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2006; 61(1): P33 - P45. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. S. Birditt and K. L. Fingerman Age and Gender Differences in Adults' Descriptions of Emotional Reactions to Interpersonal Problems J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2003; 58(4): P237 - 245. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. Lincoln, R. J. Taylor, and L. M. Chatters Correlates of Emotional Support and Negative Interaction Among Older Black Americans J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2003; 58(4): S225 - 233. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Akiyama, T. Antonucci, K. Takahashi, and E. S. Langfahl Negative Interactions in Close Relationships Across the Life Span J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2003; 58(2): P70 - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Krause and K. S. Rook Negative Interaction in Late Life: Issues in the Stability and Generalizability of Conflict Across Relationships J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2003; 58(2): P88 - 99. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. S. Rook Exposure and Reactivity to Negative Social Exchanges: A Preliminary Investigation Using Daily Diary Data J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2003; 58(2): P100 - 111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Krause and B. A. Shaw Negative Interaction and Changes in Functional Disability During Late Life Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, June 1, 2002; 19(3): 339 - 359. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Pinquart and S. Sorensen Gender Differences in Self-Concept and Psychological Well-Being in Old Age: A Meta-Analysis J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2001; 56(4): P195 - 213. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Falcón and K. L. Tucker Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Elders in Massachusetts J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2000; 55(2): 108S - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text]