The relationship of self-help networks to physical and psychosocial functioning

One hundred fifty-eight elderly persons living in retirement hotels and apartments were classified by being receivers or givers of help to their neighbors into four groups: givers, getters, both (GG), or neither (NGG). The aim was to determine whether the groups differed in personal characteristics, physical functioning, or psychologic adjustment at baseline and six months later. The groups did not differ in personal characteristics. The NGG group (N = 55) functioned significantly less well, both physically and psychosocially. At six months, with baseline scores adjusted, the givers had fewer illnesses and the GG group had better self-esteem. Thus, subjects did not change significantly in other variables. Efforts to enhance the ability of the NGG group to form social networks, if applied cautiously, may help to improve their overall adjustment.