The quality and quantity of social relationships have been found to influence
health and well-being. Middle-aged adults live complex social lives as they
navigate multiple roles, such as being parents, romantic partners, and
caregivers for aging relatives. They juggle these social roles while dealing with
early signs of aging, including increased risk for cardiovascular issues like high
blood pressure. In contrast, older adults' social circumstances are characterized
by frequent emotional adjustments and social network reorganizations, often
due to the loss of close relationships, which heightens their risk of social
isolation and loneliness. These social dynamics remain understudied among
urban African American adults who face additional challenges, such as higher
rates of physical disability and financial burdens. Findings from two studies from
African American adults from Detroit will reveal how loneliness and social
interactions influence daily blood pressure and physiological stress.