A longitudinal study of characteristics and predictors of perceived instrumental and emotional support among the old-old in Israel

The structure and function of social networks and the perceived instrumenta l and emotional support associated with these networks were studied longitu dinally among a random sample of 687 Jewish Israelis aged seventy-five to n inety-four, stratified by five-year age groups, place of birth (Europe-Amer ica, Asia-Africa, or Israel), and gender, interviewed in 1989-92 and 1993-9 4. Perceived instrumental support at follow-up was predicted by baseline me asures of proximity of at least one child and by four or more weekly contac ts with intimate friends or family, whereas perceived emotional support was more broadly based and was predicted by more frequent contacts with childr en, neighborliness, and having more intimate friends. Changes occurring dur ing the follow-up interval, such as entering long-term care or losing a con fidant, were associated with a decrease in perceived emotional support but not with a loss of instrumental support. Emotional support was less replace able over time than was instrumental support.