2012 Volume 34 Issue 1 Pages 16-28
This study investigated same-sex friendship (actual and expectant friendship) and its gender differences among older men and women. This study also examined the relation of actual friendship, expectant friendship, and the differences between both friendships to subjective well-being. Participants were 337 men and 377 women ranging in age from 59 to 84. As a result of factor analysis, two factors were extracted: comfortable relationship and useful relationship. Women’s friendship was more comfortable and useful than men’s. Women expected more comfortable and useful relationships than men did. The more comfortable or the more useful their relationships were, the higher was their subjective well-being. The more comfortable relationship they expected, the higher was their subjective well-being. These results were not different between men and women. Men whose actual useful relationships were above the expectant were happier than men whose actual useful relationships were below the expectant. These gender differences are discussed.
