Attachment and close relationships across the life span

Abstract

The Convoy Model of Social Relations is identified as a unifying conceptual framework within which to consider attachment and other close social relationships across the life span. Convoy data are provided for people aged 8 to 93 in both the United States and Japan. Data from community based representative samples in the Detroit (N = 1703) and Yokohama (N = 1842) metropolitan areas indicate age differences in all close relationships but gender differences only in very close relationships in the two countries. There was only one Age × Gender × Country interaction for number of people in close relations. Examination of role relationships suggest age differences overall but considerable similarities in the two countries.