Final answer:
The benefit least likely to be provided by friendships for older adults is increased loneliness. Friendships typically offer emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and enhanced self-esteem, all contributing to decreased loneliness and improved overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
For older adults, friendships offer a range of benefits that contribute to positive aging, such as emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and enhanced self-esteem. Therefore, the benefit that is LEAST likely to be provided by friendships for older adults is c) Increased loneliness. In fact, strong social connections are known to reduce the feelings of loneliness and are associated with better health outcomes. Emotional support from friends can promote empathy and social skills, and cognitive stimulation can help prevent dementia by keeping the mind active. Enhanced self-esteem is also a common benefit derived from supportive friendships and the mutual exchange of respect and understanding within these connections.
Studies in psychosocial development demonstrate the importance of maintaining close relationships in later life, and Erik Erikson's developmental stages signify that older individuals struggle with the challenge of overcoming despair to achieve integrity, which underlines the necessity of social support for psychological well-being.