HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stevens, N. L. Articles by Westerhof, G. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stevens, N. L. Articles by Westerhof, G. J.

Meeting the Need to Belong: Predicting Effects of a Friendship Enrichment Program for Older Women

Correspondence: Address correspondence to Nan L. Stevens, Center for Psychogerontology, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, the Netherlands. E-mail: stevens{at}psych.ru.nl

Purpose: This study explores the effects of participation in a program designed to enrich friendship and reduce loneliness among women in later life. Several hypotheses based on the need to belong, socioemotional selectivity theory, and the social compensation model were tested. Design and Methods: Study 1 involved two measurement points, one at the end of the program and the other 1-year later. Study 2 used a pretest–post-test control group design with a follow-up measurement. A combination of semistructured interviews and structured questionnaires was used to collect data. A comparison group was also drawn from a nationwide representative sample. Results:Participants were characterized by deprivation on the need to belong; that is, loss of a partner, higher levels of loneliness and negative affect, and lower positive affect compared with a nationwide representative sample of same-aged women. Participants were more likely than women in a control group to report the development of new friendships and an improvement in friendship. The combination of new and improved friendships contributed to a significant reduction in loneliness within a year. There was no evidence of satiation of the need to belong among those who did not expand or improve friendships. Loss of a partner had no influence on friendship development; however, age did. Older participants were less likely to improve friendships. Implications: The action-oriented approach that focused on friendship development in this intervention might be applied to other goals considered important in later life (optimal health, autonomy, harmonious family relations).

Key Words: Friendship • Intervention • Loneliness • Older women

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Street, S. Burge, J. Quadagno, and A. Barrett The Salience of Social Relationships for Resident Well-Being in Assisted Living J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2007; 62(2): S129 - S134. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Bode, D. T. D. de Ridder, R. G. Kuijer, and J. M. Bensing Effects of an Intervention Promoting Proactive Coping Competencies in Middle and Late Adulthood Gerontologist, February 1, 2007; 47(1): 42 - 51. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]