Having a Good Time Together: The Role of Companionship in Older Couples ’ Everyday Life

This article studies time-varying associations of companionship with emotional and relational well-being as older couples engage in their everyday life.Methods: Participants provided three data points a day over 7 days using electronic surveys that were simultaneously completed by both partners. A total of 118 older heterosexual couples reported momentary companionship, positive and negative affect, and closeness. Data were analyzed using an intensive longitudinal dyadic score model.Results: Couples with higher average companionship showed lower overall negative affect, more overall positive affect, and higher overall closeness. During moments of elevated momentary companionship, partners reported more positive affect, less negative affect, and higher closeness. Regarding between-couple partner differences, i.e., when the female partner ’s momentary companionship was higher on average than the male partner’s momentary companionship, the female partner also showed less negative affect, more positive affect, and higher closeness than the male partner. During moments in which the female partner’s momentary companionship was high er than the male partner’s momentary companionship, the female partner showed less negative affect, more positive affect, and higher closeness than the male partner.Discussion: Older couples show a consistent link between companionship and emotional well-being and closeness in everyday life emphasizing the importance of studying companionship in ...

Source: Gerontology - April 25, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research