Coping with spousal loss: Potential buffering effects of self-reported helping behavior

被引:81
作者
Brown, Stephanie L. [1 ]
Brown, R. Michael [2 ]
House, James S.
Smith, Dylan M. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Michigan, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare Syst, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[2] Pacific Lutheran Univ, Tacoma, WA 98447 USA
关键词
bereavement; altruism; helping; depression; stress buffering;
D O I
10.1177/0146167208314972
中图分类号
B84 [心理学];
学科分类号
04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
The present study examined the role of self-reported helping behavior in attenuating the helper's depression following spousal loss. Using archival data from the Changing Lives of Older Couples sample ( N = 289), the study shows that among bereaved participants who had experienced high loss-related grief, helping behavior ( providing instrumental support to others) was associated with an accelerated decline in depressive symptoms for the helper from 6 months to 18 months following spousal loss. This relationship between giving help and recovery from depression was independent of support received, as well as measured health, and interpersonal and demographic factors. Implications of these results for theoretical approaches to the study of close relationships and well-being are discussed.
引用
收藏
页码:849 / 861
页数:13
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