Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Establishing and Maintaining Social Relationships During Significant Life Events: The Role of Age
Sonja Radjenovic1, Fiona S Rupprecht1, Jana Nikitin1
1Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Objectives:
We investigate how adults of different ages experience changes in their social relationships during significant life events. Based on different goal priorities, younger adults may benefit more from establishing new social contacts during a significant life event, whereas older adults may benefit more from maintaining existing relationships.
Methods:
To test these hypotheses, we conducted multilevel modeling with a sample of N = 6,688 participants aged 18-90 years who reported at least 1 significant life event in the past 2 years.
Results:
Both establishing new social relationships and maintaining existing relationships during significant life events were associated with higher levels of well-being. As predicted, these associations were moderated by age. Establishing new social relationships was more strongly associated with mental health and life satisfaction in younger adults, whereas maintaining existing relationships was more strongly associated with subjective well-being, physical health, and loneliness in older adults.
Discussion:
These findings provide valuable insights into the role of age in the change and stability of social relationships during significant life events.
More Related Videos
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
08:46Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model
Published on: September 29, 2011
Related Concept Videos
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood
The first four of Erikson's eight...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Relationship Formation
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....