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Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
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Article

Coping With Spousal Loss: Potential Buffering Effects of Self-Reported Helping Behavior

Stephanie L. Brown1*, R. Michael Brown2, James S. House3, and Dylan M. Smith1

1 VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and University of Michigan
2 Pacific Lutheran University
3 University of Michigan

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: stebrown{at}umich.edu.


  Abstract
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.

First published on March 14, 2008, doi:10.1177/0146167208314972

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 2008;34:849.

A more recent version of this article appeared on June 1, 2008

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