Elliot M. Friedman
- William and Sally Berner Hanley Professor of Gerontology, Department of Human Development and Family Science
Office and Contact
Pillars of Interdisciplinary Research Excellence
Enhancing Biological and Physical Function in Later Life; Social Contexts and Policy for Optimal Aging
Enhancing Biological and Physical Function in Later Life; Social Contexts and Policy for Optimal Aging
Education
PhD - University of Wisconsin-Madison - Behavioral Neuroscience - 1993
PhD - University of Wisconsin-Madison - Behavioral Neuroscience - 1993
Research Interests
Psychosocial influences on biological regulation and health in aging adults; positive psychological functioning and healthy aging
Psychosocial influences on biological regulation and health in aging adults; positive psychological functioning and healthy aging
Teaching Interests
Adult development and aging; lifespan development
Adult development and aging; lifespan development
Selected Grants
2026 - National Institutes of Health (2) - (Co-I)
Selected Publications
Franks, M.M., & Friedman, E.M. (In Press). Accentuating the positive: Contribution of positive relations with others and daily interpersonal interactions to longevity. Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine.
Friedman, E.M, Schafer, M.H., Franks, M.M., & Francis, A.L. (2026). Poorer subjective hearing is associated with less frequent and more negative social interactions. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 81(3), gbaf261.
Thomas, P. A., Teas, E., Friedman, E., Barnes, L. L., Sauerteig-Rolston, M. R., & Ferraro, K. F. (2026). Early-life parental affection, social relationships in adulthood, and later-life cognitive function. Journal of aging and health, 38(1-2), 19-30.
Friedman, E.M., Thomas, P.A., Sauerteig-Rolston, M.R., Barnes, L.L., & Ferraro, K.F. (2025). Sustained purpose in life is associated with slower cognitive decline in older adults: A longitudinal analysis with a diverse national sample. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaf021
Friedman, E.M., Franks, M.M., Teas, E.A., & Thomas, P.A. (2024). Social connectedness, functional capacity, and longevity: A focus on positive relations with others. Social Science and Medicine.
Thomas, P. A., Teas, E., Friedman, E., Barnes, L. L., Sauerteig-Rolston, M. R., & Ferraro, K. F. (2024). Early-Life Parental Affection, Social Relationships in Adulthood, and Later-Life Cognitive Function. Journal of Aging and Health, 08982643241303589.
Shrout, M. R., Renna, M. E., Leonard, M. J., Friedman, E. M., & Miller, K. D. (2024). Couples in breast cancer survivorship: Daily associations in relationship satisfaction, stress, and health. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 20, 100261.
Friedman, E. M., & Teas, E. (2023). Self-rated health and mortality: Moderation by purpose in life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12), 6171.
Teas, E., Marceau, K., & Friedman, E. (2023). Life-course social connectedness: Comparing data-driven and theoretical classifications as predictors of functional limitations in adulthood. Advances in Life Course Research, 55, 100529.
Ferraro, K. F., Sauerteig-Rolston, M. R., Barnes, L. L., Friedman, E., Sands, L. P., & Thomas, P. A. (2023). Subjective memory decline predicts incident cognitive impairment among White-but not Black or Hispanic-older adults. The Gerontologist, 63(4), 690-699.
Friedman, E.M., Franks, M.M., Teas, E.A., & Thomas, P.A. (2024). Social connectedness, functional capacity, and longevity: A focus on positive relations with others. Social Science and Medicine.
Thomas, P. A., Teas, E., Friedman, E., Barnes, L. L., Sauerteig-Rolston, M. R., & Ferraro, K. F. (2024). Early-Life Parental Affection, Social Relationships in Adulthood, and Later-Life Cognitive Function. Journal of Aging and Health, 08982643241303589.
Shrout, M. R., Renna, M. E., Leonard, M. J., Friedman, E. M., & Miller, K. D. (2024). Couples in breast cancer survivorship: Daily associations in relationship satisfaction, stress, and health. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 20, 100261.
Friedman, E. M., & Teas, E. (2023). Self-rated health and mortality: Moderation by purpose in life. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12), 6171.
Teas, E., Marceau, K., & Friedman, E. (2023). Life-course social connectedness: Comparing data-driven and theoretical classifications as predictors of functional limitations in adulthood. Advances in Life Course Research, 55, 100529.
Ferraro, K. F., Sauerteig-Rolston, M. R., Barnes, L. L., Friedman, E., Sands, L. P., & Thomas, P. A. (2023). Subjective memory decline predicts incident cognitive impairment among White-but not Black or Hispanic-older adults. The Gerontologist, 63(4), 690-699.