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Communication Research
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Interpersonal Communication Motives and the Life Position of Elders

CAROLE A. BARBATO

ELIZABETH M. PERSE

The aim of this investigation was to contrast the contribution of chronological age and contextual age (physical health, life satisfaction, economic security, mobility, social activity, and interaction) in explaining elders' motives for communicating with others. A sample of 49- to 89-year-old adults (N = 272) completed self-administered questionnaires. Results indicated that contextual age was more important than chronological age in determining the interpersonal motives of elders. Those with a positive life position, that is, greater life satisfaction and higher levels of social activity, reported pleasure and affection as reasons for communicating with others. Elders who were less mobile, healthy, and socially active communicated to seek control or comfort. As in previous research using the Interpersonal Communication Motives scale (ICM), there were differences in communication motives due to gender. Women reported using communication primarily for emotionally expressive reasons, whereas men reported using communication for more instrumentally controlling ones. The interpersonal communication motives of elders differed some-what from the motives of broader range samples. In our study, respondents communicated for pleasure, comfort, affection, and control. Elders did not report escape as a salient reason for communicating with others.

Communication Research, Vol. 19, No. 4, 516-531 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/009365092019004007
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