Predictors of Support-Seeking During Stress Discussions of Older Adult Couples

Despite its central role in fostering effective social support, support-seeking behavior has received limited empirical attention—particularly among older adults, who have heightened needs for support due to age-related cognitive and physical decline. This study identified and examined key predictors of four types of support-seeking behaviors—direct and indirect instrumental and emotional support-seeking. Long-term married couples, with at least one partner aged 65 or older, participated in a laboratory-based discussion about a personal life stressor, during which support-seeking behaviors were coded. We examined both the support-seeker’s and support-provider’s attachment orientation, as well as the support-seeker’s stress level and relationship quality (e.g., satisfaction, commitment, and trust), as predictors of observed support-seeking behaviors. Results indicated that greater stress and higher relationship quality were associated with more direct instrumental support-seeking, while lower relationship quality and greater attachment insecurity in both partners predicted more indirect instrumental and emotional support-seeking. However, support-seekers also showed more direct emotional support-seeking with avoidantly attached partners, possibly as a compensatory effort to elicit needed support. This study contributes to the limited literature focusing on support-seeking behaviors, particularly in older adulthood, and has implications for interventions aimed at promoting effective communication and support-seeking.