The Nature and Functions of Dating in Later Life

Abstract

Using the National Survey of Families and Households, logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that are significant predictors of dating for persons aged 60 years and older. Stepwise regressions were also conducted to determine the effects of dating on the psychological well-being of older daters. The strongest predictor of the propensity to date in later life is gender, with men significantly more likely to engage in dating. A number of gender differences were noted as they relate to the likelihood of dating. In particular, age and social role involvement tend to influence older men's likelihood of dating, while health and mobility were significantly associated with dating among older women.

I've Got You Under My Skin: Marital Biography and Biological Risk

“…Much work remains to uncover not only how marital biography influences health but also the role health plays in marriage markets among older adults. Although research is sparse in this area, at least one study found that healthy women were more likely to date than their less healthy counterparts; among men, however, there was no difference between the healthy and unhealthy (Bulcroft & Bulcroft, 1991). Although speculative, this may suggest that healthier women are more likely to remarry, but both healthy and unhealthy men are equally likely to marry, although we found that remarried men had lower metabolic risk.…”

Dating for Older Women: Experiences and Meanings of Dating in Later Life

“…The available research on dating tends to focus on the experiences of adolescents and young adults (Dickson et al, 2005; McElhany, 1992). Research regarding dating in later life explores factors associated with the likelihood to date (Bulcroft & Bulcroft, 1991), the desire to date (Calasanti & Kiecolt, 2007; Davidson, 2002; Dickson et al, 2005; Stevens, 2002), the reasons to date (Bulcroft & O’Conner, 1986; Calasanti & Kiecolt, 2007; Cooney & Dunne, 2001; Dickson et al, 2005), and the impact of dating relationships on health and well-being (Bulcroft & Bulcroft, 1991; Bulcroft & O’Conner, 1986; Carr, 2004). …”

“…In their groundbreaking examination of correlates of dating in later life, Bulcroft and Bulcroft (1991) found that the most significant factors related to the likelihood of dating were gender and age—women were less likely to date than were men, and people were less likely to date as age increased. Factors that increased the likelihood of older adults dating were driving ability, single-family residence, comparative health, and organizational participation.…”

“…It is nearing two decades since Bulcroft and Bulcroft (1991) pointed out the dearth of information available on dating in later life. Although some research has been conducted in this area since the early 1990s (e.g., see Dickson, Hughes, & Walker, 2005), these studies tend to examine factors that influence the likelihood of dating, such as health, enjoyment of independence, and lack of available partner.…”

Relationship quality among cohabitors and marrieds in older adulthood

“…They also tend to report lower levels of relationship quality. Indeed, many older unmarried adults, especially women, are relatively uninterested in marriage, yet they do desire companionship (Bulcroft and Bulcroft, 1991; Talbott, 1998). Cohabitation may offer older adults most of the benefits of marriage without imposing the institutional norms of marriage that stipulate a traditional gender-based exchange (which could translate into heavy caregiving responsibilities for women).…”