Adjusting to Widowhood: Do Social Networks Really Make It Easier?

Positive and negative aspects of relations with friends and family were examined among groups of widows in focus-group discussions, where relationships mentioned were coded as positive or negative. Approximately 40% of all mentions were negative, with family members receiving more negative mentions. Family relations showed commitments involving both problematic obligations and an inability to avoid undesirable behavior. Non-family relations showed flexibility, with increases in positive relationships and decreases in negative ones.