Aggression among older adults: The relationship of interaction networks and gender role to direct and indirect responses

This study examined interpersonally aggressive strategies among older adult s and the social and personal context in which these strategies are likely to be employed, Specifically we assessed the relationship of social interac tion networks and gender roles to the use of direct and indirect aggression . We predicted that older adults would be more likely to employ indirect th an direct strategies and that the use of such strategies would be associate d with network structure (i.e., size, density, and knowingness) and gender roles,One hundred ten older adults (mean age, 71 years; range, 55-89 gears) completed questionnaires and interviews designed to measure aggressive str ategies; gender roles; and network size, density, and knowingness. Responde nts reported using more indirect than direct strategies. Those who reported using indirect aggression also reported being relatively masculine and hav ing larger but less connected interaction networks, Use of direct aggressio n was associated with lower femininity scores but was not related to networ k structure. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.