Unbalanced social exchanges and living arrangement transitions among older adults.

Using an elaborated person-environment perspective, this research clarifies the role unbalanced social exchanges play in older adults' living arrangement transitions. Data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) are used to estimate destination-specific hazard models that include measures of baseline living arrangements, demographic characteristics, financial resources, family structure, and social exchanges. Distinctions are made between transitions that occur within the community and transitions into an institution or death. The results indicate that unbalanced exchange relationships are an integral part of the living arrangement transition process in later life.