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Stability and Change in Social Negativity in Later Life: Reducing Received While Maintaining Initiated Negativity

¹ Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, Lighthouse International, New York.
² Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York.

Address correspondence to Kathrin Boerner, Lighthouse International, 111 E. 59 St., New York, NY 10022. E-mail: kboerner{at}lighthouse.org

Objectives. This article examines stability and change in social negativity and the links between social negativity and instrumental support over time among disabled older adults. The analyses focused on family relationships because social negativity tends to be more prevalent in family compared with nonkin relationships. Social negativity received and initiated are each addressed separately to determine whether or not they show similar patterns and links to instrumental support over time.

Methods. Latent growth curve methodology was used to examine change over time in social negativity and instrumental family support in relation to age, gender, and family network size at baseline. Participants, 570 older adults with chronic visual impairment, were interviewed three times over an 18-month period.

Results. Social negativity received showed a decrease over time, whereas levels of social negativity initiated remained more stable. Links with instrumental support were positive but stronger for received compared with initiated social negativity.

Discussion. The differential pattern of stability and change over time in received versus initiated social negativity and their links to instrumental support suggest different origins for the initiation versus receipt of social negativity.