In a study of 520 parent-caring women of different marital statuses, 29% of not-married
daughters (separated, divorced, widowed, never married) responded affirmatively to the question "Do you have a special male friend whom you see exclusively?" This group is compared
with married daughters and with not-married daughters who did not have such friends. Those
without special male friends were the oldest, had the oldest and most disabled parents with whom
they most often shared households, and had the fewest helpers in caregiving. Women without a
special male relationship were more depressed than married women. Both groups of not-married
women had significantly less socioemotional support in caregiving and reported receiving less
satisfaction from their family and friendship networks than married women. The results also
support findings on the value of emotional support from a confidant.
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