Merz Eva-Maria, Consedine Nathan S
Vu University Amsterdam and Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague, the Netherlands.
Attach Hum Dev. 2009 Mar;11(2):203-21. doi: 10.1080/14616730802625185.
The current study examines the association between family support and wellbeing in the elderly, paying particular attention to the possible moderating role of attachment style. Data from a community-dwelling, ethnically diverse, elderly sample (N = 1118) were analyzed to determine the best linear combination of emotional support, instrumental support, and attachment styles predicting wellbeing. Emotional support generally was associated with higher wellbeing whereas instrumental support was related to decreased wellbeing. As expected, however, these associations were qualified by attachment style. Receiving emotional support had stronger positive and instrumental support less negative effects on the wellbeing of elderly individuals with higher attachment security. Given increased longevity, family networks may become important sources of support for the elderly. Work detailing when, how, and for whom particular types of family support are beneficial is a key agenda within developmental psychology and social gerontology.
本研究探讨了家庭支持与老年人幸福感之间的关联，特别关注依恋风格可能起到的调节作用。对来自一个居住在社区、种族多样的老年样本（N = 1118）的数据进行了分析，以确定情感支持、工具性支持和依恋风格预测幸福感的最佳线性组合。情感支持通常与较高的幸福感相关，而工具性支持则与幸福感降低有关。然而，正如预期的那样，这些关联受到依恋风格的影响。接受情感支持对依恋安全性较高的老年人的幸福感有更强的积极影响，而工具性支持的负面影响较小。鉴于寿命延长，家庭网络可能成为老年人重要的支持来源。详细说明特定类型的家庭支持在何时、如何以及对谁有益的研究，是发展心理学和社会老年学的一个关键议程。
