Document Type
Article
Version
Author's Final Manuscript
Publication Title
Clinical Psychological Science
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Social ties are powerful predictors of late-life health and well-being. Although many adults maintain intimate partnerships into late life, little is known about mental models of attachment to spouses and how they influence aging. A total of 81 elderly heterosexual couples (162 individuals) were interviewed to examine the structure of attachment security to their partners; respondents also completed measures of cognition and well-being concurrently and 2.5 years later. Factor analysis revealed a single factor for security of attachment. Higher security was linked concurrently with greater marital satisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms, better mood, and less frequent marital conflicts. Greater security predicted lower levels of negative affect, less depression, and greater life satisfaction 2.5 years later. For women, greater security predicted better memory 2.5 years later and attenuated the link between frequency of marital conflict and memory deficits. Late in life, mental models of attachment to partners are linked to well-being concurrently and over time.
Publisher's Statement
This article was published in Clinical Psychological Science available online here: http://cpx.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/08/16/2167702614541261.
Citation
Waldinger, R. J., Cohen, S., Schulz, M. S., & Crowell, J. A. (2014). Security of attachment to spouses in late life: Concurrent and prospective links with cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Clinical Psychological Science August 18, 2014 2167702614541261.
DOI
10.1177/2167702614541261