Change and stability in confidant relationships: Findings from the Bangor Longitudinal Study of Ageing

This article reports findings on the confidant relationship from the Bangor Longitudinal Study of Ageing (1979–1995). Data are presented on the relationships of 95 people who were first interviewed in 1979 and survived to be reinterviewed in 1995. It is clear that marital status and parenthood are important factors in the nature of the confidant relationship. It is shown that although most older people confide in a spouse, adult child, sibling, or friend, most respondents changed confidants during the period of the study, usually as a result of increased dependency, disability, or death. The authors identify preferences for daughters (over sons) and sisters (over brothers), older children, and compatible siblings. The article also recognizes the importance of geographical proximity. The data show that as people move into their eighties and nineties, they become increasingly at risk of losing their confidants. Replacement confidants tend to be less closely related to and substantially younger than the respondents.