Age Differences in Expressing Emotions
Author Information
Author(s): Stephenson Jane, Chen Enna, Whitman Kathrine, Carstensen Laura
Primary Institution: Stanford University
Hypothesis
Older adults may express their feelings more to close social partners and benefit more emotionally from these interactions compared to distant ones.
Conclusion
Sharing feelings with others benefits emotional well-being at all ages, with close relationships providing the most emotional benefit.
Supporting Evidence
- Older adults may express their feelings more to close social partners.
- Participants felt better after talking about their emotions.
- Sharing feelings with family members significantly improved emotional well-being among older participants.
Takeaway
As people get older, they like to talk about their feelings more with close friends and family, which makes them feel better.
Methodology
Experience sampling study collected data from participants at five randomly selected times per day for seven days.
Participant Demographics
Participants aged 18 to 93, with a mean age of 57.3.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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