Getting together: Social contact frequency across the life span
Julia Sander1, Jürgen Schupp2, David Richter2
1Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin).
Developmental Psychology
|May 26, 2017
Summary
Social contact frequency with family remains stable throughout life. However, nonfamily social interactions decline significantly after the mid-30s, highlighting shifts in social connection over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Frequent social interactions are linked to positive affect, longevity, and health.
- Research has focused on social network size, with less attention on contact frequency across the lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine intraindividual changes in social contact frequency with family and nonfamily members.
- To identify potential moderators of these changes in contact frequency across the lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Cohort-sequential longitudinal study using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study (N = 36,716).
- Latent growth curve analysis applied to data from 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 waves (age range: 17-85 years).
Main Results:
- Family contact frequency remained stable across the lifespan.
- Nonfamily contact frequency declined following a cubic trajectory, dropping below family contact frequency in mid-adulthood.
- Relationship status, gender, subjective health, and employment status showed some influence, particularly on nonfamily contact.
Conclusions:
- Social contact patterns differ significantly between family and nonfamily relationships over the lifespan.
- Major life events like relocation or childbirth did not alter these contact trajectories.
- Findings inform theories of socioemotional selectivity, social convoy, and evolutionary life history.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
13.5K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.5K
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
12.8K
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
12.8K
01:21Impact of Social Context on Individuals
380
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
380
02:12Relationship Formation
46.3K
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
46.3K
01:30Social Relationships and Well-Being
372
The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
372
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
1.1K
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
1.1K