Display options
Cite
Li T, Fok HK, Fung HH. Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction. Aging Ment Health. 2011;15(5):541-7doi: 10.1080/13607863.2010.551340.
Li, T., Fok, H. K., & Fung, H. H. (2011). Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction. Aging & mental health, 15(5), 541-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2010.551340
Li, Tianyuan, et al. "Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction." Aging & mental health vol. 15,5 (2011): 541-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2010.551340
Li T, Fok HK, Fung HH. Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction. Aging Ment Health. 2011 Jul 01;15(5):541-7. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2010.551340. PMID: 21815845.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Aging Ment Health. 2011 Jul 01;15(5):541-7. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2010.551340.

Is reciprocity always beneficial? Age differences in the association between support balance and life satisfaction.

Aging & mental health

Tianyuan Li, Hung Kit Fok, Helene H Fung

Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

PMID: 21815845 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2010.551340

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Reciprocity in support exchanges is believed to be beneficial to psychological well-being. This study examined perceived emotional and instrumental support balance from either family or friends, and the relationship between each support balance and life satisfaction among young and older adults.

METHOD: The sample included 107 older adults and 96 young adults. They rated their life satisfaction, as well as the emotional and instrumental support they provided to and received from family members and friends.

RESULTS: Consistent with the socioemotional selectivity theory, age differences were found in perceived emotional support balance with friends. Older adults reported more emotionally reciprocal friendships than did young adults. Moreover, contrary to the equity rule, emotionally over-benefited friendships were associated with higher life satisfaction for older adults than were reciprocal friendships.

CONCLUSION: Age, type of support, and source of support should be considered when studying the relationships between support balance and psychological well-being.

MeSH terms

Publication Types