| Intimacy is an important issue across the life span. The ways in which people interact with intimate others and deal with relationship problems can have a great impact upon their ability to function in society. However, relatively little is known about the relationships of older adults. Conflicting findings in the literature on relationships in old age means that intimate interactions and relationship dysfunctions are not well understood in this population. In this study, concepts that have been posited to explain findings with older adults that are inconsistent with research on younger adults were directly examined. Erikson's psychosocial stage theory was used to provide a developmental context for the experience of intimate relationships. Attachment was measured using well-established protocols in a general public sample. Identified issues with past research, including methodological concerns, cohort issues, and adverse life experiences, were directly examined. The findings of previous studies on attachment in older adults were not supported in this study. The attachment and intimacy functioning of 60-year-olds, when compared to middle-aged and young adults, was found to have more similarities than differences. Proposed developmental and cohort differences were not particularly successful in differentiating the age groups, or in the prediction of attachment patterns and dimensions. Generally, older adults had reasonably high rates of attachment security and saw themselves as happy, with good interpersonal relationships and adequate support networks. This positive picture of aging is in contrast to past findings and suggests that supporting the continued strength of social networks should be a focus for mental health and social services professionals. |
