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Perceived Family and Friend Support and the Psychological Well-Being of American and Chinese Elderly Persons

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Abstract

This study examines two sources of informal support—perceived family and friend support—and the psychological well-being—self-esteem, depression and loneliness—of 150 Chinese and 145 American elders. There were no significant differences between the elderly American and Chinese persons’ mean scores on family and friend support. The multiple linear regression analyses with interaction terms (country x family support and country x friend support), however, indicated that the relationship between family support and depression and family support and loneliness was stronger for the Chinese elderly than the US elderly. Conversely, the relationship between friend support and depression and friend support and loneliness is stronger for US elderly than Chinese elderly. The implications of these findings for social work practice in both countries is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA, 19013, USA

    John Poulin, Heather Witt & Melanie Swain

  2. Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing, China

    Rong Deng

  3. West Chester University, West Chester, PA, 19382, USA

    Travis Sky Ingersoll

Authors
  1. John Poulin
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  2. Rong Deng
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  3. Travis Sky Ingersoll
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  4. Heather Witt
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  5. Melanie Swain
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Correspondence to John Poulin.

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Poulin, J., Deng, R., Ingersoll, T.S. et al. Perceived Family and Friend Support and the Psychological Well-Being of American and Chinese Elderly Persons. J Cross Cult Gerontol 27, 305–317 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-012-9177-y

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