Specificity and substitution in the social networks of the elderly

A set of hypotheses is developed with regard to the way that life cycle, cultural, and structural factors serve to delimit and specify the psychological desires satisfied through interaction with the various categories of others in an elderly person's social network. A second set of hypotheses focuses upon the extent to which the absence of the social category of persons most relevant for the satisfaction of a particular desire can be compensated for by persons from another category. Data are presented which largely support both sets of hypotheses. The findings point to the importance of diversity in the social networks of the aged. Although some substitution of relationships may take place, in the present study no one type of relationship, whether with a spouse, adult children, siblings, confident friends, or organizational acquaintances, was able to satisfy all three of the psychological desires considered.