Older Persons' Perceptions of the Quality of their Human Support Systems

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Abstract
Fifty elders, 61–91 years of age, identified and evaluated the important people in their lives. Characteristics which typified good relationships in general were reciprocity, trustworthiness, friendliness and responsibility. Highest mean scores on the semantic differential scale were found for friends, lowest for neighbours. Significant differences between these two groups indicates that they cannot be combined. Grandchildren did not appear to play a central role in the lives of this group of elders. Spouses gave each other low ratings relative to other groups of supporters. If replicated in a larger sample, the possibility should be investigated that respondents may evaluate intimate relationships on a different ‘psychological yardstick’ than other relationships and relatively low evaluations may not indicate marital dissatisfaction.

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