Look (closely) at all the lonely people: age and the social psychology of social support.

OBJECTIVE

This article explores the relationship between age and social support. Previous research on the relationship has reached inconsistent conclusions.

METHODS

Three theories are tested using the Americans' Changing Lives survey.

RESULTS

The likelihood of reporting no close friends or confidants increases with age, and role changes (such as the growing likelihood of living alone) account for much of this increase. Yet these cases are exceptional, and in general, the number of friends and confidants stays the same. Moreover, evaluations of support become more positive with age, and loneliness declines.

DISCUSSION: Improvements in perceived support appear to be premised on psychological processes rather than role changes: They occur despite changes in the environment and independent of how individuals make choices among friends. Indeed, this process is so powerful that loneliness declines even among those who are living alone, have no children, and report no confidants.