Social Support and Reciprocity: A Cross-Ethnic and Cross-National Perspective

Abstract

This cross-national study examined the perception of reciprocity in support relationships and the degree to which reciprocity predicts life satisfaction. Comparisons of white and black American elderly with elderly from south-western France indicate cultural differences. The French are much more likely to perceive their support relationships as reciprocal and very unlikely to report receiving less support than they provide. Among elderly white Americans, age, lower educational levels and functional limitations are associated with not perceiving support relationships as reciprocal. The pattern is similar but not significant among black Americans. French elderly with more functional limitations report that they receive less than they provide, whereas those who are married are more likely to report that their relations are reciprocal. Comparisons of white and black Americans over the full adult age range reveal that for white Americans, age, education, functional limitations, and marital status are important factors predicting reciprocity in social relations; for black Americans again the pattern is similar, but only functional limitations and marital status significantly predict reciprocity. Generally, reciprocal relationships are most positively related to life satisfaction in comparison to both receiving more or receiving less support in white and black American adults and American and French elderly.