Interaction and well-being in old age: is it quantity or quality that counts?

This article explores the relationship between two dimensions of social interaction and well-being, controlling for the key antecedent variables of health and income. The two dimensions of interaction relate to the quantity and adequacy of social contact. Using more comprehensive indicators of social interaction than are generally available, the results indicate that it is the respondent's assessment of the adequacy of his or her social contact, rather than the amount of social contact per se, that is a critical determinant of well-being in old age.