UC Irvine

Some research suggests that different kinds of social ties perform specific functions (i.e., relationship specialization), leading to the idea that there are “customary” sources of support and companionship (Weiss, 1974). In later life, losing a social tie results in losing that support or companionship, unless older adults are able to compensate by finding an alternative (or non-customary) source (Rook & Charles, 2017). Little research has examined the extent of relationship specialization or its implications for well-being, such as loneliness, among married versus unmarried older adults. The current study accordingly examined three questions: To what extent do patterns of support and companionship reflect relationship specialization? To what extent is loneliness elevated when customary sources of support and companionship are absent? Can non-customary sources of companionship and support compensate for the lack of customary sources of companionship and support? Data from wave 1 in-person interviews of a nationally representative, longitudinal study of 916 older adults were analyzed using 3 x 2 x 2 Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis and Multiple Regression Analyses. Married and unmarried older adults experienced similar patterns of relationship specialization, except with regard to emotional support, which was provided equally across types of relationships among the unmarried, and more often by family members among the married. Spouses performed more support and companionship functions than did friends or children. Additionally, loneliness was elevated among participants who lacked companionship and instrumental support from friends, as well as among participants who lacked emotional support from either friends or family members. Among unmarried participants, however, loneliness was less elevated if they received instrumental from non-customary sources. Receiving companionship from alternative sources buffered feelings of loneliness, regardless of marital status. Loneliness was also buffered among unmarried participants when they received emotional support from alternative sources. Married participants, contrary to expectations, experienced less loneliness when support was provided not only by non-customary sources, but also by customary sources. The results of this study provided partial evidence for relationship specialization in older adults’ social networks, and also suggested that relationship specialization does not constrain effective compensation to some extent.