title: Social Support and Attitudes to Aging in Later Life.
abstract: Negative attitudes to aging are a risk factor for poor health and well-being. The current study sought to examine satisfaction with social support as a potentially modifiable factor that might facilitate the development of more positive attitudes to aging. A convenience sample of 501 older respondents (Mage= 72.06) reported on frequency of social support and their satisfaction with it, as well as completing a rating of attachment (model of the self and others), a measure of attitudes to aging, and a number of background measures. Results indicated that better subjective health, younger age, and greater satisfaction with social support were all significant predictors of more positive attitudes to aging, while frequency of social support was not. Model of the self accounted for some variation in satisfaction with social support. Interventions to increase satisfaction with social support in later life, recognizing individual differences and attachment styles, may improve attitudes to aging and further support health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK r.lamont@exeter.ac.uk.|PenCLAHRC, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lamont
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.|PenCLAHRC, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nelis
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.|PenCLAHRC, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.|PenCLAHRC, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clare
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support
keywords: attachment; attitudes to aging; health; social networks; social support; well-being