Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T23:13:58.879Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Social Networks and Exchange Norms Across the Adult Life-Span*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Adam Davey  and
Joan E. Norris
Adam Davey
Affiliation:
The University of Georgia
Joan E. Norris
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Developmentally grounded research on norms for social exchange in adult relationships is equivocal, and rife with theoretical and methodological inconsistencies. We examined the applicability of three theoretical perspectives to specific relationships differing in self-perceived closeness in three groups of adults. Participants were first year (n = 37, MAge = 19.1 years) and fourth year (n = 42, MAge = 22.1 years) undergraduates, and retired teachers (n = 42, MAge = 66.8 years). We find considerable similarity among the three age groups on exchange norms and reciprocity expectations, despite considerable differences in sources of supportive relationships. Results indicate greatest support for exchange based upon need over either equity or social exchange perspectives, with this being especially true for very close relationships. Older adults report relationships operating to a greater extent on expectations for long-term over short-term reciprocity than young adults. Findings highlight the importance of considering intra-individual variation in exchange norms and expectations for reciprocity.

Résumé

La recherche faite pour des motifs de développement sur les normes d'échanges sociaux dans les relations entre adultes est équivoque et bourrée d'incohérences théoriques et méthodologiques. Nous avons étudié l'applicabilité de trois points de vue théoriques à des relations spécifiques qui différaient dans le rapprochement perçu par soi chez trois groupes d'adultes. Les participants étaient des étudiants de première année (n = 37, MÂge = 19.1 années) et de quatrième année (n = 42, MÂge = 22.1) années) du premier cycle, ainsi que des professeurs à la retraite (n = 42, MÂge = 66.8 années). Nous trouvons qu'il y a beaucoup de similitude parmi les trois groupes d'âge sur les normes d'échanges et sur les attentes de réciprocité malgré des différences considérables dans les sources de relations cordiales. Les résultats indiquent qu'il y a plus d'appui pour des échanges fondés sur le besoin plutôt que sur l'équité ou les perspectives d'échanges sociaux; ceci est particulièrement vrai dans le cas des relations très proches. Les adultes plus âgés ont indiqué des relations basées davantage sur des attentes de réciprocité à long terme plutôt qu'à court terme, comparativement aux jeunes adultes. Les résultats de l'étude soulignent l'importance de considérer la variation intra-individuelle dans les normes d'échanges et dans les attentes de réciprocité.

Keywords

Support NetworksSocial ExchangeEquity TheoryContingent ExchangeClose RelationshipsLife-Span Development.Réseaux de soutienéchanges sociauxthéorie de l'équitééchanges fortuitsrelations étroitesdéveloppement génétique.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 1998 , pp. 212 - 233
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ainsworth, M.D.S. (1985). Attachments across the life span. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 61, 792–812.Google Scholar
Ainsworth, M.D.S. (1989). Attachments beyond infancy. American Psychologist, 44, 709–716.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Antonucci, T.C. (1986). Measuring social support networks: Hierarchical mapping technique. Generations, 10(4), 10–12.Google Scholar
Antonucci, T.C., & Akiyama, H. (1987). Social networks in adult life and a preliminary examination of the convoy model. Journal of Gerontology, 42, 519–527.Google Scholar
Antonucci, T.C., & Akiyama, H. (1995). Convoys of social relations: Family and friendships within a life span context. In Blieszner, R. & Bedford, V.H. (Eds.), Handbook of aging and the family, (pp. 355–371). Westport, CT: Greenwood.Google Scholar
Cicirelli, V.G. (1991). Attachment theory in old age: Protection of the attachment figure. In Pillemer, K. & McCartney, K. (Eds.), Parent-child relations throughout life (pp. 25–42). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Davey, A. (1994). On the economy of close relationships: Reciprocity and exchange across the adult life-span. Unpublished master's thesis. University of Guelph, Guelph, ON.Google Scholar
Davey, A., & Eggebeen, D.J. (1998). Patterns of intergenerational exchange and mental health. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 53, 86–95.Google Scholar
Deutsch, M. (1975). Equity, equality, and need: What determines which value will be used as the basis of distributive justice. Journal of Social Issues, 31, 137–149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dowd, J.J. (1975). Aging as exchange: A preface to theory. Journal of Gerontology, 30, 584–594.Google Scholar
Dowd, J.J. (1986). The old person as stranger. In Marshall, V. (Ed.), Later life: The social psychology of aging (pp. 147–189). Beverly Hills: Sage.Google Scholar
Eggebeen, D.J., & Davey, A. (in press). Do safety nets work? The role of anticipated support in times of need. Journal of Marriage and the Family.Google Scholar
Feeney, J., Peterson, C., & Noller, P. (1994). Equity and marital satisfaction over the family life cycle. Personal Relationships, 1, 83–99.Google Scholar
Finch, J. (1989). Family obligations and social change. Oxford, UK: Polity.Google Scholar
Finch, J., & Mason, J. (1993). Negotiating family responsibilities. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Gouldner, A.W. (1960). The norm of reciprocity: A preliminary statement. American Sociological Review, 25, 161–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harootyan, R.A., & Vorek, R.E. (1994). Volunteering, helping, and gift giving in families and communities. In Bengtson, V.L. & Harootyan, R.A. (Eds.), Intergenerational linkages: Hidden connections in American society (pp. 77–111). New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Hazan, C., Hutt, M., Sturgeon, J., & Bricker, T. (1991, April). The process of relinquishing parents as attachment figures. Paper presented at the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA.Google Scholar
Homans, G.C. (1958). Social behavior as exchange. American Journal of Sociology, 62, 597–606.Google Scholar
Kahn, R.L., & Antonucci, T.C. (1980). Convoys over the life course: Attachment, roles, and social support. In Baltes, P. & Brim, O.G. (Eds.), Life span development and behavior (Vol. 3, pp. 253–286). New York: Academic.Google Scholar
Keith, P.M., Schafer, R.B., & Wacker, R. (1995). Outcomes of equity/inequity among older spouses. In Hendricks, J. (Ed.), The ties of later life. Perspectives on aging and human development series (pp. 9–19). Amityville, NY: Baywood.Google Scholar
Kronebusch, K., & Schlesinger, M. (1994). Intergenerational transfers. In Bengtson, V.L. & Harootyan, R.A. (Eds.), Intergenerational linkages: Hidden connections in American society. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Lang, F.R., & Carstensen, L.L. (1994). Close emotional relationships in late life: Further support for proactive aging in the social domain. Psychology and Aging, 9, 315–324.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, G.R., & Ellithorpe, E. (1982). Intergenerational exchange and subjective well-being among the elderly. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 44, 217–224.Google Scholar
Lee, G.R., Netzer, J.K., & Coward, R.T. (1995). Depression among older parents: The role of intergenerational exchange. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 823–833.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lerner, M.J. (1975). The justice motive in social behavior: Introduction. Journal of Social Issues, 31, 1–19.Google Scholar
Levitt, M.J. (1991). Attachment and close relationships: A life-span perspective. In Gewirtz, J.L. & Kurtines, W.M. (Eds.), Intersections with attachment (pp. 183–205). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
McCulloch, B.J., (1990). The relationship of intergenerational reciprocity of aid to the morale of older parents: Equity and exchange theory comparisons. Journals of Gerontology, 45, S150–S155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milliken, G.A., & Johnson, D.E. (1992). Analysis of messy data, Vol. 1: Designed experiments. New York: Chapman and Hall.Google Scholar
Mills, J., & Clark, M.S. (1982). Exchange and communal relationships. In Wheeler, L. (Ed.), Review of personality and social psychology, (Vol. 3, pp. 121–144). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Mutran, E., & Reitzes, D.C. (1984). Intergenerational support activities and well being among the elderly: A convergence of exchange and symbolic interaction perspectives. American Sociological Review, 49, 117–130.Google Scholar
Norris, J.E., & Tindale, J.A. (1994). Among generations: The cycle of adult relationships. New York: Freeman.Google Scholar
Reynolds, W., Remer, R., & Johnson, M. (1995). Marital satisfaction in later life: An examination of equity, equality, and reward theories. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 40(2), 155–173.Google Scholar
Roberto, K.A., & Scott, J.P. (1986). Equity considerations in the friendships of older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 41, 241–247.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rook, K.S. (1987). Reciprocity of social exchange and social satisfaction among older women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 145–154.Google Scholar
Shornack, L.L. (1986). Exchange theory and the family. International Social Science Review, 61(2), 51–60.Google Scholar
Snell, M.L., & Martin Matthews, A. (1986). Family interaction of the young-old: Social exchange as an explanation of the qualitative and quantitative experience. Social Indicators Research, 18, 395–407.Google Scholar
Stoller, E.P. (1985). Exchange patterns in the informal support networks of the elderly: The impact of reciprocity on morale. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47, 335–342.Google Scholar
Thibaut, J.W., & Kelley, H.H. (1959). The social psychology of groups. New York: Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Walker, M.E., Wasserman, S., & Wellman, B. (1993). Statistical models for social support networks. Sociological Methods and Research, 22, 71–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walster, E., Berscheid, E., & Walster, G.W.. (1973). New directions in equity research. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 25, 151–176.Google Scholar
Walster, E., Walster, G.W., & Berscheid, E. (1978). Equity: Theory and research. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.Google Scholar
Wellman, B. (1983). Network analysis: Some basic principles. In Collins, R. (Ed.), Sociological theory, (pp. 155–200). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Google Scholar
Wellman, B., & Berkowitz, S.D. (1988). Social structures: A network approach. New York: Cambridge.Google Scholar
Wilson, J.G., Calsyn, R.J., & Orlofsky, J.L. (1994). Impact of sibling relationships on social support and morale in the elderly. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 22(3/4), 157–170.Google Scholar