| Summary: | During old age there are many challenges that the elderly have to meet. These challenges
can include adapting to diminished bodily abilities, decreased intellectual vitality, the
death of a spouse and the loss of friends, adapting to new roles and activities, a change in
income, a change of housing conditions and retirement. Due to advanced technology and
to more sophisticated medical services, life expectancy has changed significantly, which
implies that generally speaking people could grow older and that they have to deal with
life transitions and daily demands. Friendships enable people to cope better with life
transitions and challenges. Very little research, however, is available on the friendship
patterns of the elderly. A quantitative, single cross-sectional survey study was conducted
where 200 elderly people in South Africa were interviewed by means of a semi-structured
questionnaire. The purpose of the research was to investigate friendship
patterns among the elderly, and to confirm whether or not people have fewer friendships
as they grow older. Data has been statistically analysed by means of frequencies. Results
indicate that as people age, they indeed have fewer friendships due to the death of
friends, transport problems, illness and the fact that friends moved away. It was also
found that although the number of friends becomes fewer, friendship is still regarded as
an important aspect. Suggestions are made regarding the value of having different kinds
of friendships, which will promote resilience and create more social resources to deal
with challenging life transitions. === Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.
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