Social self-efficacy and short-term variability in social relationships: the MacArthur successful aging studies.

Dealing with others entails both stability and short-term variability of the functions and outcomes of social relationships. The authors argue that patterns of short-term intraindividual variability in social relationships and self-efficacy beliefs contribute interpretable information about social adaptation. On the basis of 23 repeated weekly measurements of a sample of 32 participants ages 56 to 88 years, the authors examined the extent to which fluctuations in perceived relational outcomes are related to fluctuations of social self-efficacy. Results showed that individuals differ systematically in respect to the extent to which they experience and display fluctuations in self-efficacy and availability of social relationships. Moreover, when individuals perceive others to be available across time, social self-efficacy beliefs are stronger and fluctuate less across time.

[1]  K. Schaie,et al.  Societal Mechanisms for Maintaining Competence in Old Age , 1998 .

[2]  J W Rowe,et al.  Intraindividual variability in perceived control in an older sample: the MacArthur successful aging studies. , 1997, Psychology and aging.

[3]  D. Featherman,et al.  The state component in self-reported worldviews and religious beliefs of older adults: the MacArthur Successful Aging Studies. , 1996, Psychology and aging.

[4]  Frieder R. Lang,et al.  Close emotional relationships in late life: further support for proactive aging in the social domain. , 1994, Psychology and aging.

[5]  N. Krause,et al.  Stressors in salient social roles and well-being in later life. , 1994, Journal of gerontology.

[6]  C. Rusbult,et al.  Accommodative Behavior in Close Relationships: Exploring Transformation of Motivation , 1994 .

[7]  J. Nezlek.  The stability of social interaction. , 1993 .

[8]  Lynn Hasher,et al.  Optimal Time of Day and the Magnitude of Age Differences in Memory , 1993 .

[9]  K. Hooker.  Change and Stability in Self during the Transition to Retirement: An Intraindividual Study using P-technique Factor Analysis , 1991 .

[10]  Elizabeth Hampson,et al.  Estrogen-related variations in human spatial and articulatory-motor skills , 1990, Psychoneuroendocrinology.

[11]  P. Baltes,et al.  Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. , 1990 .

[12]  D. Featherman,et al.  Successful aging in a post-retired society , 1990 .

[13]  B. Mcwhirter,et al.  Loneliness: A Review of Current Literature, With Implications for Counseling and Research , 1990 .

[14]  M. Hojat,et al.  Loneliness: Theory, Research and Applications , 1989 .

[15]  Steven W. Duck,et al.  Relating to others , 1989 .

[16]  J. Nesselroade,et al.  Intraindividual variability in perceived locus of control in adults: P-technique factor analyses of short-term change , 1986 .

[17]  R. Schulz,et al.  Long-term adjustment to physical disability: the role of social support, perceived control, and self-blame. , 1985, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[18]  K. Rook,et al.  The negative side of social interaction: impact on psychological well-being. , 1984, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[19]  D. McAdams,et al.  Intimacy and affiliation motives in daily living: An experience sampling analysis , 1983 .

[20]  H. Lefcourt,et al.  Research With the Locus of Control Construct , 1981 .

[21]  J. Horn,et al.  STATE, TRAIT AND CHANGE DIMENSIONS OF INTELLIGENCE , 1972 .

[22]  R. Cattell.  Personality and motivation structure and measurement , 1958 .

[23]  T. Antonucci,et al.  Social support and the maintenance of competence. , 1997 .

[24]  Tenko Raykov,et al.  Issues in applied structural equation modeling research , 1995 .

[25]  Marcia G. Ory,et al.  Aging and quality of life , 1994 .

[26]  Margie E. Lachman,et al.  Maintaining a sense of control in later life. , 1994 .

[27]  L. Carstensen,et al.  Motivation for social contact across the life span: a theory of socioemotional selectivity. , 1992, Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation.

[28]  John R. Nesselroade,et al.  Interindividual differences in intraindividual change. , 1991 .

[29]  Paul B. Baltes,et al.  Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences , 1990 .

[30]  J. Jackson,et al.  Social support, interpersonal efficacy, and health: A life course perspective. , 1987 .

[31]  Laura L. Carstensen,et al.  Handbook of clinical gerontology , 1987 .

[32]  Paul B. Baltes,et al.  The psychology of control and aging , 1986 .

[33]  A. Bandura.  Social Foundations of Thought and Action , 1986 .

[34]  David W. Reid,et al.  The desired control measure and adjustment among the elderly , 1981 .

[35]  D. Jackson,et al.  The Meaning And Measurement Of Neuroticism And Anxiety , 1961 .