Social support among unmarried childless elderly persons.

OBJECTIVES

This article examines the availability, exchange, and receipt of informal support for unmarried childless elderly persons. These individuals may be at particular risk of lacking social support because they lack the two most important sources: spouses and children.

METHODS

Using data drawn from the 1991 Canadian Survey on Aging and Independence (N = 1,078), ordered-response logistic regression models were employed to assess the availability and exchange of social support. Logistic models for binary variables were used in support-receipt models.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that although support was generally available to this elderly population, it was not readily translated into exchanged or received support. Gender differences were found in support exchange, with women generally more advantaged than men. Gender by age interactions were also identified in the exchange and receipt of emotional support. Additionally, greater involvement in support exchange generally corresponded with increased support receipt.

DISCUSSION

In light of the correspondence between support exchange and receipt, concerns may be raised about the low levels of support exchange (involving less than one quarter of this population) reported for the unmarried childless elderly persons in this study. Emotional support appears to be the greatest unmet need, with support being provided to only 25% of this group.