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The Strength of Weaker Ties: An Underexplored Resource for Maintaining Emotional Well-Being in Later Life

Author

Listed:
  • Oliver HuxholdPhD
  • Katherine L FioriPhD
  • Noah J WebsterPhD
  • Toni C AntonucciPhD
  • Lynn MartirePhD

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine dynamic links between changes in social ties and changes in emotional well-being.MethodTrivariate dual-change score models were used to test whether a large number of close ties would be more strongly associated with low levels of depressed affect than a large number of weaker ties, and a large number of weaker ties would be more strongly associated with high levels of positive affect compared to a large number of close ties, across three waves of a large, regionally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 40 and older (N = 802).ResultsWe found that a greater number of weaker ties was associated with having more close ties over time, and that the number of weaker ties was more strongly predictive of positive age-related changes in both aspects of well-being (i.e., more positive affect and less depressed affect) than the number of close ties.DiscussionContrary to popular theoretical orientations in gerontology, weaker ties may offer older adults a more effective avenue for promoting emotional well-being over time than close ties, and may have the additional benefit of compensating for losses in the number of close ties.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver HuxholdPhD & Katherine L FioriPhD & Noah J WebsterPhD & Toni C AntonucciPhD & Lynn MartirePhD, 2020. "The Strength of Weaker Ties: An Underexplored Resource for Maintaining Emotional Well-Being in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(7), pages 1433-1442.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:75:y:2020:i:7:p:1433-1442.
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