NEGATIVE INTERACTION AND SATISFACTION WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG OLDERADULTS

The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model that contrast s two competing explanations of how feelings of satisfaction with soci al support emerge in later life. The first suggests that satisfaction with support is determined primarily by the amount of assistance provi ded by significant others, while the second view proposes that negativ e interaction may play a larger role in this process. Two main finding s were obtained from this recent nationwide survey of older adults. Fi rst, negative interaction appears to be more strongly related to satis faction with support than measures of support received from others. Se cond, statistical interaction effects were detected which suggest that the impact of negative interaction and received support depends upon the amount of assistance that the elderly study participants provide t o their significant others.