Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Jan;64(1):55-64.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbn031. Epub 2009 Feb 19.

Longitudinal patterns of negative relationship quality across adulthood

Kira S Birditt  1 , Lisa M H Jackey, Toni C Antonucci
Affiliations

Longitudinal patterns of negative relationship quality across adulthood

Kira S Birditt et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Some theories suggest that negative relationship quality decreases with age, whereas others suggest that it remains stable. This study examined negative relationship quality over time, by relationship type, and by age. A total of 1,361 adults aged 20-93 years in 1992 and 840 adults in 2005 reported how much their spouse or partner, child, and best friend got on their nerves and made too many demands. Negative child relationship quality decreased over time among younger participants. Negative friend relationship quality decreased over time among people with a different friend but remained stable among people with the same friend. Negative spouse or partner relationship quality decreased over time among those who had a different partner but increased among those with the same partner. This study provides evidence of relationship-specific developmental trajectories in relationship quality.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Akiyama H, Antonucci T, Takahashi K, Langfahl ES. Negative interactions in close relationships across the life span. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. 2003;58:P70–P79. - PubMed
    1. Almeida DM, Horn MC. Is daily life more stressful during middle adulthood? In: Brim OG, Ryff CD, Kessler RC, editors. How healthy are we? A national study of well-being at midlife. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2004. pp. 425–451.
    1. Antonucci TC. Social relations: An examination of social networks, social support, and sense of control. In: Birren JE, editor. Handbook of the psychology of aging. 5th ed. San Diego: University of California; Center on Aging; 2001. pp. 427–453.
    1. Antonucci TC, Akiyama H, Takahashi K. Attachment and close relationships across the life span. Attachment & Human Development. 2004;6:353–370. - PubMed
    1. Antonucci TC, Israel B. Veridicality of social support: A comparison of principal and network members’ responses. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1986;54:432–437. - PubMed

Publication types