The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
Psychological Adjustment to Conjugal Bereavement: Do Social Networks Aid Coping Following Spousal Death?
Authors:
Somhlaba, Nceba Z.
Wait, John W.
Source:
Omega: 2008. Volume 5, Issue 4, pp. 341-366.
Summary
The researchers studied the role that social networks play in helping individuals cope with the death of a spouse. The study was conducted in South Africa, with 198 participants from a rural region. Researchers found that the presence of higher levels of social support was associated with lower levels of anxiety. In addition, a positive correlation was found between levels of social support and levels of problem-solving coping. However, the authors also found that high levels of problem-solving coping were associated with higher levels of depression. The authors believe that this association may reflect cultural norms that set expectations for the behavior of widows that result in an inability to adjust to loss. The authors state it is important to offer education to the bereaved to help them understand the types of social support that are beneficial.
Key words: social, spouse
Service Provider Implications
This article provides information that can help practitioners explore the social networks of bereaved individuals in terms of both positive and negative influences on the adjustment to loss.
