ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of empirical work on the association between negative social exchanges and older adults’ psychological health. It discusses theoretical explanations for the potent effects of negative exchanges. The chapter addresses the question of which older adults are most vulnerable to negative exchanges with members of their social networks. It also discusses parallels between the theoretical and methodological puzzles that have challenged social support researchers and the puzzles that await researchers interested in the problematic aspects of social relationships. Important insights about the health-protective or health-damaging consequences of social relationships may be gained by investigating how older adults’ efforts to cope with financial difficulties, relocation, or other stressors are aided versus hindered by supportive and aversive social interaction, respectively. Efforts to investigate why negative social exchanges cause so much distress may also help to shed light on the important question of which older adults are most vulnerable to negative exchanges.
