Social Contacts, Social Instrumentality, and Adjustment of Institutionalized Aged

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Abstract
A correlational study examined social instrumentality of institutionalized aged in terms of self- versus other-initiated contacts with family, community-dwelling friends, and coresidents. Correlations with life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived social control indicate positive associations with self- but not with other-initiated contacts with friends and fellow nursing home residents. Although family contacts were generally unrelated to adjustment, positive correlations did emerge for self-initiation of long-distance interactions with family members. Results are discussed in terms of parallels with previous experimental research on social control for institutionalized elderly and of differential functions of family and friendship interactions for this population.