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Personality, Relationship Closeness, and Loneliness of Oldest Old Adults and Their Children

^a Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames
^b German Centre for Research on Ageing, University of Heidelberg, Germany

M. Valora Long, Iowa State University, 1094 LeBaron, Ames, IA 50011 E-mail: x1mvlong{at}exnet.iastate.edu.

March 9, 2000 Decision Editor: Toni C. Antonucci, PhD

This study examined the effects of personality, attachment, and dimensions of family solidarity on the loneliness of oldest old adults (i.e., 85 years and older) and their adult children. Parent–child dyads were formed with data collected from 100 parents and their children. Results from path analyses indicated that oldest old adults' loneliness was reduced by affection both for and from their children. Although an anxious personality decreased affection, perceptions of attachment to children increased feelings of affection. In addition, parents and children who had anxious personalities were more likely to be lonely, whereas loneliness was decreased for those with an extraverted personality. Children's loneliness also was decreased by association with their parents and by the quality of their friendships. Perceptions of childhood attachment to parents increased current affection and association with and fulfillment of parents' expectations.