Constraints and Facilitators to Friendships in Late Late Life

Abstract

This report analyzes friendship patterns of individuals 85 and older, 77% of whom are women. Despite high levels of disability and the loss of age peers, the majority were in frequent contact with friends and still had a close friend. Over 31 months, however, the predictors of friendship involvement changed. At Time 1, mood was most important, but by Time 3, increased disability was most important. Qualitative data describe how the constraints and facilitators lead to changing criteria for friendships in late late life.