It is suggested that the withdrawal phenomenon exhibited by the elderly simply reflects reduced environmental opportunities for social interaction. Despite a reduced social sphere and the prevailing negative attitudes of old age, the vast majority of the elderly make a satisfactory adjustment to their later years and are happy.
Interpersonal intimacy is viewed as the key to satisfactory adjustment.
A longitudinal developmental approach to the development of intimacy in the elderly is presented. Robert A.C. Stewart , PhD, Editor Soc. for Personality Research. P.O.Box 1539, Palmerston North 5331, New Zealand.