Showing papers by "Neal Krause published in 2001"
TL;DR: The evidence provides some support for the hypothesis of esteem enhancement instead of social exchange and equity theories and indicates that the major dimensions of social support are significantly interrelated, not only directly but also indirectly.
Abstract: This research examined the effects of giving and receiving assistance on psychological well-being while taking into account other salient dimensions of social support including negative interaction and anticipated support. Structural equation models were evaluated by using data derived from a national probability sample of 1,103 individuals aged 65 years or older. Results indicate that the major dimensions of social support are significantly interrelated, not only directly but also indirectly. Giving and receiving support have both positive and negative consequences on well-being. With reference to the role of reciprocity, the evidence provides some support for the hypothesis of esteem enhancement instead of social exchange and equity theories.
340 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the nature of church-based social support and to see whether support received in religious settings is related to the use of religious coping methods, and find that people are especially inclined to use positive religious coping responses when they receive spiritual support from church members.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is twofold: to explore the nature of church-based social support, and to see whether support received in religious settings is related to the use of religious coping methods. The data come from a nationwide survey of members of the Presbyterian Church USA. Three dimensions of religious support are examined in detail: emotional support from church members, spiritual support from church members, and emotional support from the pastor. These dimensions of support are used to evaluate an issue that has been largely overlooked in the literature—the relationship between religious support and religious coping. The findings reveal that people are especially inclined to use positive religious coping responses when they receive spiritual support from church members. Even though emotional support from the pastor also increases the use of religious coping methods, the relationship is not as strong. Finally, emotional support from church members has no effect.
282 citations
TL;DR: The results show that lower levels of control are associated with older age in both Blacks and Whites, and that racial disparities in feelings of control persist across all age groups, which suggests that Blacks may be at a particular disadvantage in the face of the increasing challenges of aging.
Abstract: Objectives. The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) to see whether the association between age and perceived control is the same for Blacks as well as Whites; and (b) to see if education, health, income, social support, cognitive function, and religion account for the relationship between age and control in the same way for Blacks and Whites. Methods. Data for this study come from the first wave of the Americans’ Changing Lives panel study. Complete data are available for 357 Black and 2,792 White individuals. Respondents were asked questions about their feelings of control, health status, income, social support, cognitive function, religious participation, and demographic information. Results. The findings suggest that age has an inverse and nonlinear association with feelings of control. Moreover, this relationship is similar for Blacks and Whites. The data further reveal that, across all age groups, Blacks report a lower sense of control than Whites. Less education, less income, greater cognitive impairments, and more religiosity are associated with a lower sense of control. These factors, along with health and social support, account for 69% of the association between age and control, with no differences according to race. Discussion. These results show that lower levels of control are associated with older age in both Blacks and Whites, and that racial disparities in feelings of control persist across all age groups. This suggests that Blacks may be at a particular disadvantage in the face of the increasing challenges of aging. strong sense of personal control is essential for the maintenance of health and well-being in late life (Mendes de Leon, Seeman, Baker, Richardson, & Tinetti, 1996). Individuals with a strong sense of control believe the changes in their social world are responsive to their choices, efforts, and actions. In contrast, people with a weak sense of control believe that events in their lives are shaped by forces outside their influence, and that they have little ability to influence the things that happen to them. Unfortunately, recent research by Mirowsky (1995) shows that feelings of control may decline in an accelerating fashion across progressively older age groups. If we want to help older adults age successfully we must, therefore, learn more about the social and psychological factors driving this process.
119 citations
TL;DR: For example, this paper conducted qualitative interviews with 129 elderly adults to examine the process of religiously motivated forgiveness in late life, and found that three major themes emerged from the interviews having to do with: (1) the factors influencing whether elderly people are willing to forgive others; (2) what transgressors must do to be forgiven; and (3) whether the process is complete (i.e., whether older adults can forget as well as forgive).
Abstract: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 129 elderly people in order to examine the process of religiously motivated forgiveness in late life. In particular, the purpose was to see how older people go about forgiving each other, and to explore the role played by religion in this process. Three major themes emerged from the data having to do with: (1) the factors influencing whether elderly people are willing to forgive others; (2) what transgressors must do to be forgiven; and (3) whether the process of forgiveness is complete (i.e., whether older adults can forget as well as forgive). The implications of these findings for the study of forgiveness and health in late life are explored.
36 citations