WAYS OF COPING WITH SOCIAL DEFICITS IN OL D-AGE

Contrary to the stereotype, that old age is associated with loneliness , a meta-analysis showed no relation between age and loneliness. Selec tive processing of self-referent information is assumed to reduce the influence of social deficits on loneliness. 100 community-dwelling eld erly persons (61-86 years) were interviewed about coping with social l osses (control, downward social and temporal comparison, change of asp irations, denial) and the perceived effects. Social deficits were conn ected with less downward comparisons, less control, low aspirations, a nd increasing denial. Control predicted decreasing loneliness, whereas defending was connected with high loneliness. Perceived protective ba rriers against loneliness are examined.