1. The Differential Impact of Social Participation and Social Support on Psychological Well-Being: Evidence From the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
- Author
-
Neika Sharifian and Daniel Grühn
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Longitudinal study ,Aging ,Human Development ,050109 social psychology ,Emotional functioning ,Personal Satisfaction ,050105 experimental psychology ,Developmental psychology ,Social support ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,Humans ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Longitudinal Studies ,Differential impact ,Models, Statistical ,05 social sciences ,Social Support ,Middle Aged ,Social engagement ,Social Participation ,Psychological well-being ,Female ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,Psychology - Abstract
Being socially engaged is theorized to diminish age-related declines in emotional functioning. However, unique facets of social engagement may differentially impact functioning in older adulthood. In particular, social participation (SP) might be more beneficial than social support (SS) in buffering declines. The goal of this study was to examine whether interindividual differences in SP and SS influenced intraindividual change in Psychological Well-Being (PWB). The impact of SS and SP on change in PWB was investigated in two samples from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study spanning 19 years (1992–2011): graduate respondents and their siblings. Using latent growth curve models, small declines in PWB were found. Individuals high in SP demonstrated a less steep decline in PWB across the three time points than individuals low in SP. SS, however, did not buffer declines in PWB. Developmental implications of the age-related trajectory of PWB and the relationship with social engagement are discussed.
- Published
- 2018