The relationship between work status (working and retired) and the degree of formal and informal social participation among elderly respondents sixty to sixty-nine years of age was studied and analyzed. A national probability sample of 735 elderly Americans provided the major data source. Elaboration model was used to further understand and explain the relationship between work status and the degree of formal and informal social participation. Ten control variables were introduced: work status of spouse, marital status, occupational status, family income, satisfaction with health, size of kinship network, race, gender, and size of community of residence. Indices of formal and informal social participation were constructed.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of determining the effects significant symbolic interactions such as victimization, have on the acceptance of aggression and the expectation of assertive traits in children. Information from the General Social Survey (years 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1978) is used to establish measures of victimization, acceptance of aggression, and expectations of assertive traits in children. The findings provide only slight support for a model which places emphasis on the importance of traumatic events in bringing about changes in attitudes. Factors such as age, occupational prestige, education, and military experience appear to be helpful in explaining the conditions under which attitude changes are most likely to occur as a function of victimization.