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Siblings in Old Age: Something Special

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gold, DT
Published in: Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement
January 1, 1987

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative examination of sibling relationships in old age. Interviews with sixty people over the age of sixty-five revealed that interactions with sisters and brothers took on new meaning in late life. A shared history of lifetime experiences made the sibling relationship unique in social networks in old age. Those who had positive relationships with siblings found that interactions decreased feelings of loneliness, provided emotional support and validation of earlier life experiences, and built feelings of closeness and sibling solidarity. Even those who had negative sibling relationships indicated a shift in feelings. The intensity of feeling about siblings in old age suggests that further study of the later-life sibling bond might increase understanding of ways in which the social and emotional needs of older people can be met. Interviews provided an effective method for gathering rich data about these complex social and emotional interactions. © 1987, Canadian Association on Gerontology. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement

DOI

EISSN

1710-1107

ISSN

0714-9808

Publication Date

January 1, 1987

Volume

6

Issue

3

Start / End Page

199 / 216

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Gold, D. T. (1987). Siblings in Old Age: Something Special. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement, 6(3), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980800008424
Gold, D. T. “Siblings in Old Age: Something Special.” Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement 6, no. 3 (January 1, 1987): 199–216. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980800008424.
Gold DT. Siblings in Old Age: Something Special. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 1987 Jan 1;6(3):199–216.
Gold, D. T. “Siblings in Old Age: Something Special.” Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement, vol. 6, no. 3, Jan. 1987, pp. 199–216. Scopus, doi:10.1017/S0714980800008424.
Gold DT. Siblings in Old Age: Something Special. Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement. 1987 Jan 1;6(3):199–216.
Journal cover image

Published In

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement

DOI

EISSN

1710-1107

ISSN

0714-9808

Publication Date

January 1, 1987

Volume

6

Issue

3

Start / End Page

199 / 216

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences