Do Older Adults' Network Members Continue to Provide Instrumental Support in Unbalanced Relationships

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2932008
AutoresKaren Klein Ikkink (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, autor correspondente), Theo Van Tilburg (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Theo G Van Tilburg (0000-0002-1005-6732, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Ano1998
Volume15
Fascículo1
Páginas59-75
Data de publicação1998-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407598151004
OpenAlexW2101528772
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas30
Referências citadas18

Exchange theory assumes that people strive towards a balance in their personal relationships. The question is why the balance is not restored in unbalanced relationships where older adults receive more instrumental support than they give. The data are from a longitudinal study of 408 older adults and 2044 of their network members. At T1, the older adults received more instrumental support than they gave in 335 (17%) of their relationships. The instrumental support balance in these relationships at T2 was also assessed. The results of a multilevel regression analysis show that network members continue giving support to older adults who are in poor health. If the network member is in poor health, the balance is likely to be restored. Four other reasons for continuing the imbalance were also examined. No evidence was found to back the idea that a lack of instrumental reciprocity could be compensated by the older adults giving more emotional support. The second hypothesis (that close relationships often involve social norms that make it difficult to withdraw from unreciprocated support giving) was confirmed: in kin relationships and friendships, the imbalance persisted over time, while neighbor and other non-kin relationships returned to balance. Thirdly, it was hypothesized that if there were a small number of alternative supporters, it would be hard to withdraw from unreciprocated support giving. However, it was found that if the network was small, the imbalance was not likely to endure. Finally, as predicted, if there was generalized network reciprocity, the balance in particular relationships was not restored

Balance (ability · Balance theory · Developmental psychology · Econometrics · Instrumental variable · Interpersonal ties · Multilevel model · Norm of reciprocity · Personal network · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Social capital · Social support · Sociology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychology · Social Psychology