Family Ties, Physical Health, and Psychological Well-Being

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the impact of number and quality of family ties on the health and well-being of elderly people. METHOD: Measures of the quantity and quality of family ties, adjusting for gender, education, and income, were correlated with the self-rating of health and well-being of a sample of 534 married parents between 68 and 73 years of age. RESULTS: The quality of an individual's relationships with spouse, children, and other family members was associated with personal feelings of well-being, but the quantity of such associations had little impact on either physical or psychological health. DISCUSSION: Researchers and those working with elderly people should not assume that the presence of family members necessarily implies that social support affecting physical health and well-being will be forthcoming.