The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62075

Yoko Kawamura, School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd. Ryals Building 227, Birmingham, AL 35294, 2052765027, yandk0720@aol.com

Numerous studies have shown reciprocity of social support as one of the most important factors toward successful aging. There are several theories that imply possible important effects of social support reciprocity on people’s psychological well-being. This study focuses on equity theory, which is derived from social exchange theory. The Equity theory predicts that people benefit more from psychological well-being with a well-balanced reciprocal relationship of social exchange than from under-benefiting or over-benefiting relationship; on the other hand, social exchange theory predicts that under-benefiting or over-benefiting of social support will not be a stressor as far as one seeks to maximize one’s reward and minimize losses. The study further predicts that emotional support plays a more salient role in psychological well-being among older adults than instrumental support. Lastly, whether the satisfaction of emotional support exchange is more likely to indicate the condition of older adult psychological well-being than the amount will also be studied. The study uses the data collected from 2,200 Japanese older adults in the study conducted by Liang and Maeda, 1987. Reciprocity of emotional support is presented as a ratio of emotional support given to received, and its impacts on depression and self-esteem conditions will be examined. The impacts of instrumental support status will also be examined by looking at its effects before and after emotional reciprocity is combined. The implication of a strategy to manage an aging phenomenon in Japan, which is one of nations facing most rapidly aging society, will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1.List basic theories concerned with social support reciprocity
• 2.Recognize the significance of emotional support reciprocity on elderly psychological well-being
• 3.Discuss the implication of the result application to better environments in which older population can live longer healthy lives

Keywords: Aging, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.