"When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple": Red Hatters cope with getting old.
This ethnographic study examined women's friendships in Red Hat Society (RHS) chapters. Qualitative data included in-depth interviews (n = 25), a focus group interview (n = 7), participant observation, and examination of RHS publications. Results suggest that participation in the RHS (1) aids in developing and enhancing positive attitudes about self and aging that contribute to overall well-being, (2) offers the opportunity to obtain instrumental and emotional support, and (3) provides social connections that prevent feelings of social isolation. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential buffering role of RHS participation in women's lives.
Radina
M Elise
ME
Department of Family Studies and Social Work, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA. radiname@muohio.edu
Lynch
Annette
A
Stalp
Marybeth C
MC
Manning
Lydia K
LK
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support; D012952:Societies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health