Intergenerational Differences in the Effect of Social Relationships on Loneliness Among Korean Adults

Background and Purpose:

According to socioemotional selectivity theory, individuals adapt their social relationships as they age by focusing on more emotionally gratifying relationships and discarding peripheral relationships (Carstensen et al., 2000). Thus, core networks may be more stable than peripheral relationships. The purpose of this study was to investigate quantitative and qualitative aspects of social relationships among Korean adults in the context of generations. We hypothesized that there would be different patterns of social relationships across age groups and that older adults would be more affected by qualitative aspects of social relationships than younger generations.

Methods:

Data were drawn from the Ewha Study of Intergenerational Issues (ESoII). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with participants aged 18 and older in Korea during the spring of 2017. Using a multi-stage quota sample method, a total of 1,017 respondents were recruited (307 aged 18-44, 357 aged 45-64, and 353 aged 65 and above). In hierarchical regression models separately run by three age groups, loneliness was regressed on three blocks of independent variables: (1) demographic/health (gender, marital status, education, perceived financial status, and self-rated health); (2) social engagement (family network, friend network, and community support); and (3) family support (instrumental, informational, and emotional support).

Results:

While there was no age difference in family networks, friend networks dwindled and community support increased with aging. With respect to family support, there were no age differences in the levels of instrumental and informational support. However, older adults had lower level of emotional support and higher levels of loneliness. In regression models, the youngest group felt lonely when they had smaller friend networks and lower levels of community support. For the middle-aged group, lower perceived financial status and lower informational support were associated with loneliness. Of interesting was that higher levels of instrumental support (relying on family when needing help) was associated with higher levels of loneliness. For older adults, lower levels of perceived financial status, informational support, and emotional support were associated with higher level of feeling lonely.

Conclusions and Implications:

Results of the study are generally in accordance with the premises of socioemotional selectivity theory in that friend networks (more peripheral relationship) decreased while family networks (core relationship) were unchanged across age groups. As hypothesized, loneliness was affected by friend networks among younger adults and by family networks among older adults. The finding regarding the positive relationship between instrumental support and loneliness among middle-aged group needs further investigation. For older adults, results suggest the latter may need informational and emotional support in close relationships. Interestingly, younger group was not affected by qualitative aspects of family support. In social work practice, it would be important to consider both quality and quality of social relationships in evaluating emotional health across the life span.