Universität zu Köln

Ellwardt, Lea ORCID: 0000-0001-9292-2392 and van Tilburg, Theo G. ORCID: 0000-0002-1005-6732 (2026). The ties that bother: Difficult relationships in the personal networks of older adults. Social Networks, 85. pp. 47-56. Elsevier. ISSN 0378-8733

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Abstract

Objectives: Theorizations of social exchanges often assume that people prefer interactions with supportive others but avoid others they perceive as demanding or difficult. Yet, many social relationships are ambivalent, i.e., entail a combination of positive and negative interactions. We refer to difficult relationships as ties with an equal and high share of both elements or ties where the net balance of these two elements is outweighed by negativity. This study inquires how many difficult relationships prevail in the personal network in late life and where they originate. Methods: Survey data are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) on egocentric networks. The sample comprised 892 respondents (mean age 73; range 61–100) and their 4273 network members. Models consist of mixed effects and logistic regressions for explaining difficulty on the relationship level and the network level. Results: We found that 15 % of older adults engage in difficult relationships. The difficulty was most often found in involuntary relationships (with siblings, parents, neighbors), and relationships characterized by low receipt but high provision of emotional support, and high volatility. The difficulty in a personal network was more likely for older adults embedded in instable networks and networks that yielded difficult relationships among members in their network. Discussion: People may face structural constraints that pressure them to continue engaging socially with others, even if they sometimes find them to be difficult. Research should take these ties seriously, as negative ties may bother more than positive ties benefit older adults

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Ellwardt, Lea UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9292-2392 UNSPECIFIED van Tilburg, Theo G. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1005-6732 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-787849
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.socnet.2025.11.006
Journal or Publication Title:	Social Networks
Volume:	85
Page Range:	pp. 47-56
Number of Pages:	10
Date:	May 2026
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0378-8733
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Management, Economy and Social Sciences
Divisions:	Weitere Institute, Arbeits- und Forschungsgruppen > Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (ISS)
Subjects:	Economics Management and auxiliary services
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Social ties ; Negative ties ; Ambivalence ; Social support ; Egocentric data English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/78784