I Am This Widow: Social Support in Friendship After the Loss of a Spouse in Mid-Life

Abstract

This paper elaborates on relational processes of social support after widowhood in mid-life. It extends knowledge in effective support by examining themes of friendship communication between widows and their friends rather than widows’ individual perceptions, and co-construction of support communication. Findings indicate that when social support is constructed between individuals with a focus on the specific relationship, support is highly valued. General support that does not consider the individual or relationship between widow and other is seen as unhelpful. It concludes by suggesting future research on social support take a dyadic approach.

Keywords

social support widowhood grief friendship

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