["Internal proximity by external distance"--revision of a thesis?]

The analysis originates from the suggestion that for several reasons the communication within the family gains increasing importance for the elderly; on the other hand a change in the functions of the family may lead to a development no longer allowing a qualitative (and not merely formal) integration for the elderly. To test this hypothesis a multiphasic study was conducted. In the first phase 16 three-generation families were included, with at least one member of each generation participating. The respondents were interviewed by using a qualitative research technique. This article discusses one finding of the first research phase stating that "intimacy" and "distance" are two different dimensions of life satisfaction, the first containing cognitive elements and the second important emotional-affective components.