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Cited by 298Aging and Gerontology ResearchIntergenerational Family Dynamics and CaregivingAging, Health, and Disability

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 32 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Is It Better to Give or to Receive? Social Support and the Well-being of Older Adults

Thomas, P. A.·2010·The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
DOI 10.1093/geronb/gbp113
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Abstract

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES. This study examines the separate effects of several dimensions of giving and receiving social support on the well-being of older adults, with hypotheses guided by identity theory. METHODS: Data derive from the Social Networks in Adult Life survey, a national probability sample of older adults (N = 689). Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine the impact of total support, size of support network, number of types of support, and types of alter support relationships-both given and received-on well-being. RESULTS: Providing support to others is beneficial to older adults' well-being, as illustrated in the relatively strong, positive associations of total support given, the number of types of support given, and support given to friends and children on well-being. Receiving support was less important to well-being except when received from a spouse or sibling. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this analysis provides support for hypotheses predicted by identity theory, highlights the importance of examining giving and receiving support net of the other, and suggests that it is often better for the well-being of older adults to give than to receive.

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Crossref · 10.1093/geronb/gbp113

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Show all 31 references

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. 2007, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62B, S304
  2. 2006, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61B, P25
  3. 2005, International journal of psychiatry, 20, 512
  4. 1992, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 47, 300
  5. 2006, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61B, P33
  6. 2004, The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 59B, 173

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Metadata

Authors
Thomas, P. A.
Affiliations
Duke University (US)
Corresponding author
Thomas, P. A.
ORCID
Thomas, P. A.
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2009-12-22
Volume
65B
Issue
3
Pages
351-357
ISSN
  • 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5368
DOI
10.1093/geronb/gbp113
OpenAlex
W2159896553
Cited by
298
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 5
FWCI
6.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords
social support, older adults, well-being, identity theory, social support networks, support types
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Altruism, Family, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Quality of Life, Social Environment, Social Support

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