Establishing and Maintaining Social Relationships During Significant Life Events: The Role of Age

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We investigate how adults of different ages experience changes in their social relationships during significant life events. Based on different goal priorities, younger adults may benefit more from establishing new social contacts during a significant life event, whereas older adults may benefit more from maintaining existing relationships. METHODS: To test these hypotheses, we conducted multilevel modeling with a sample of N = 6,688 participants aged 18-90 years who reported at least 1 significant life event in the past 2 years. RESULTS: Both establishing new social relationships and maintaining existing relationships during significant life events were associated with higher levels of well-being. As predicted, these associations were moderated by age. Establishing new social relationships was more strongly associated with mental health and life satisfaction in younger adults, whereas maintaining existing relationships was more strongly associated with subjective well-being, physical health, and loneliness in older adults. DISCUSSION: These findings provide valuable insights into the role of age in the change and stability of social relationships during significant life events.

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