Age differences in meaning in life: Exploring the mediating role of social support

Three sets of analyses are performed in our study. First, following Erikson (1959), we hypothesized that the relationship between age and meaning becomes progressively stronger at successively older ages (i.e., the relationship is nonlinear). Second, following Carstensen (1992), we predicted that the relationship between age and social support (received support and satisfaction with support) becomes progressively stronger at successively older ages (i.e., these relationships are nonlinear, as well). Third, we proposed that the nonlinear relationship between age and meaning is mediated by the nonlinear social support constructs (i.e., received support and satisfaction with support).Our data were obtained from online interviews with a nationwide sample of adults of all ages (N = 2, 245).Our findings suggest there is a nonlinear relationship between age and meaning in life as well as a nonlinear relationship between age and each social support measure. Our data also indicate that the nonlinear effects of the social support measures mediate the nonlinear relationship between age and meaning in life.Finding a sense of meaning may be facilitated by the supportive social networks that older people maintain.