Marital closeness, functional disability, and adjustment in late life.

Full Abstract

Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) posits that emotionally close relationships are increasingly valued as people perceive constraints on time. Based on SST, this study of 1,532 older married persons hypothesized that emotional dimensions of marriage would more strongly predict adjustment at higher levels of functional disability. High levels of marital closeness were negatively associated with depression and anxiety and positively associated with self-esteem. Consistent with predictions derived from SST, marital closeness moderated the negative psychological effects of high levels of functional disability on depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Results are discussed in the context of SST and traditional stress-buffering models of social support.

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Author information

Author/s: Mancini, Anthony D (AD); Bonanno, George A (GA);

Affiliation: Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10001, USA. adm22(-atsign-)columbia.edu

Grants: AG05561-01 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; AG15948-01 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; AG610757-01 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Psychology and aging (Psychol Aging), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 21 (issue 3) : pp 600-10

Dates: Created 2006/09/06; Completed 2007/01/09; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16953721, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety - psychology
Bereavement
Depression - psychology
Disabled Persons - psychology
Emotions
Female

Female
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Male
Marriage - psychology
Middle Aged
Self Concept
Sick Role
Social Support
Spouses - psychology
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