QUALITIES OF OLDER WOMENS FRIENDSHIPS - STABLE OR VOLATILE

The purpose of this study was to identify changes and stability in the qualities older women attribute to their close friendships. Seventy-f our older women responded to eleven structured statements describing q ualities of their relationships with ninety-one close friends. Change was found for seven of the eleven qualities examined. Differences in t he women's responses were observed according to which close friend the y were discussing and changes in the women's marital, work and health status. The findings provide insight into the character of women's clo se friendships in later life.