This longitudinal research examined continuity and change in social support in a sample of 74 old-old (74 to 84) or very-old (85 and over) members of the Berkeley Older Generation Study. Considerable continuity in extent of contact was found between 1969 and 1983 for the group as a whole, particularly with respect to family relationships. In beyond-family contacts, declines were observed for men but not women, and for the very-old but not the old-old. Important changes also were observed in involvement or subjective level of commitment: satisfaction with children increased, while involvement beyond the family declined.

A longitudinal study of elderly persons found evidence of personality development even in advanced old age. Five traits, similar to traits found in younger persons, were identified. Although considerable continuity was found, change also was apparent. An increase in agreeableness was observed for the old-old, bringing their scores up to the level maintained by the oldest-old. Two traits were stable: satisfaction (65% did not change reliably) and intellect (63% did not change reliably). A decline in extraversion occurred in both age groups. Energetic, in which 40% declined, may be more affected than the other traits by external, environmental circumstances. The study confirms the findings of longitudinal studies of children and younger adults and extends them into the final stages of life.

No abstract

A longitudinal study of friendships between young-old and old-old adults found far more continuity than change in amount of contact with friends. Nevertheless, activities with casual friends more often occurred in groups, whereas activities with close friends were more often concerned with exchanging confidences, with sharing interesting experiences and thoughts, and with helping each other. Gender differences are more pronounced than life-course differences. Men declined in number of new friends, in their desire for close friendships, in the less intimate nature of their interactions with friends, and in involvement in beyond-family activities, while women did not change. Questions about closest friends revealed only a trivial difference between men and women in young-old age; but in old-old age, men (but not women) had declined in many measures of friendship.