Primary relationships and the subjective well-being of unmarried elderly women: Comparing residents of "religious" and nonreligious retirement housing

Timothy Raymond Johnson, Purdue University

Abstract

Poor health, deaths, and institutionalization diminish the number of primary relationships of the elderly and seriously affect socio-emotional support and social integration essential for high Subjective Well-being. Research reveals that retirement housing deals with these problem areas through the development of primary relationships. The effects of specific housing conditions (i.e. norms, activities) have seldom been examined. This research explores the effects of the contextual conditions on Subjective Well-being through primary relationships. The religious atmosphere is a major concern due to the "abundant life" claim made by religious retirement residences. Opportunities for social interaction are also included due to their potential impact on primary relationships along with individual factors (i.e. health, religious commitment) and salient perceptual factors (i.e. housing satisfaction). The joint inclusion of structural, individual, and perceptual factors explores the salience of different levels of analysis for Subjective Well-being. Nearly 200 unmarried, elderly women were interviewed in four retirement facilities in a Rocky Mountain metropolitan area. These HUD-subsidized facilities were chosen according to their religious image and SES level (low and moderate). A LISREL analysis examined several models that included individual factors, residence, and contextual characteristics. Primary relationships were separated into four sources: children, kin, residents, and other friends. Social integration through primary relationships with residents and extended kin contributed to Subjective Well-being but less than the major impact of housing satisfaction. Surprisingly, contextual factors affected housing satisfaction but not primary relationships. Individual factors best explained Subjective Well-being. Greater individual resources (health, age, and religious commitment) were more important than other levels of analysis. Nevertheless, the reversal for some resources (i.e. education) supported retirement housing advantages. The religious atmosphere, despite positive normative effects, had slight negative total effects on Subjective Well-being which discredited the "abundant life" claim. Excluded housing characteristics (i.e. safety) may distort the effects. Further research is needed on contextual variables although age-segregated conditions in general seem to contribute to primary relationships and Subjective Well-being.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Stahl, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Gerontology

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