Patterns of social engagement in the transition to later life

Abstract

As social roles in later life are shaped by significant life events and changes occurring in the late-life transition, examining social engagement in midlife may provide a context for interpreting the ageing social identity. This is particularly important for women, who are heavily dependent on social relationships and are more influenced by social losses and change. Objective To examine major social changes occurring in the decade prior to late-life, starting from approximately 45-55 years of age. Study design The study accessed data from the longitudinal prospective Women's Healthy Ageing Project (WHAP). Participants were 493 women who had completed at least one assessment in the first 12 ..