The social support system for elderly Japanese women in a small regional city : An examination of a hierarchical compensatory model

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  • NOBE Masao
    Faculty of Education, Okayama University:Japanese Studies Centre, Monash University

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  • 地方小都市に住む高齢女性の社会関係における階層的補完性
  • チホウ ショウトシ ニ スム コウレイ ジョセイ ノ シャカイ カンケイ ニ オケル カイソウテキ ホカンセイ

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine a hierarchical compensatory model in the social support networks of elderly women in a small city. To gather empirical evidence, a sample survey of 523 elderly women who were between 65 and 79 years of age was conducted from 1997 to 1998 in Takahashi City, Japan. Analysis of the data has revealed the following : (1) The perceived most dependable source of support was family members in the same household (other than their spouse) for care when hospitalized, and their spouse and other family members in the same household when borrowing money. The family members living together formed the primary group responding to the various needs of elderly women. (2) The spouses of elderly women, other family members living with them, the children and their spouses living apart from the women, other relatives, neighbors or friends, in that order, usually provided assistance that compensated the most, when instrumental social support from more preferred sources was unavailable. In contrast, neighbors or friends generally gave assistance that compensated the most, when emotional social support from other sources was unavailable.

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