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Theories on Coping With Loss

The Impact of Social Support and Self-Esteem on Adjustment to Emotional and Social Loneliness Following a Partner's Death in Later Life

^a Department of Metamedica, Philosophy and Medical Ethics Section, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Berna van Baarsen, Department of Metamedica, Philosophy and Medical Ethics Section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands E-mail: b.vbaarsen.metamedica{at}med.vu.nl.

Decision Editor: Fredric D. Wolinsky, PhD

Objectives. This longitudinal study focused on the role of self-esteem and social support in adjustment to loneliness experienced by bereaved elderly persons. This study also examined the contributions of a general and a specific coping theory toward explaining loneliness. A distinction has been made between emotional loneliness and social loneliness/perceived support. The theory of mental incongruity predicts that the presence of more favorable conditions, such as higher self-esteem or more social support, results in less loneliness (i.e., less incongruity). According to the theory of relational loneliness, the partner's death leads to a loss of identity, thus increasing emotional loneliness, and social support does not mitigate emotional loneliness following a loss.

Methods. In total, 101 participants, aged 55–89 years, were interviewed before and after their partners' deaths.

Results. Findings were ambiguous with regard to both theories. As hypothesized, partner loss lowered self-esteem, resulting in higher emotional loneliness and social loneliness, that is, perception of less support. Supportive personal relations reduced emotional loneliness. The presence of close friends, however, seemed to increase emotional and social loneliness (i.e., decrease perceived support) in the long term, particularly among bereaved participants with lower self-esteem.

Discussion. The findings highlight the need to integrate theoretical concepts. In explaining adjustment to a partner's death, attention should be paid to underlying mechanisms relevant to the restoration process (e.g., identity change) and the ways in which the adjustment process can be improved (e.g., intimate relationships) or impeded (e.g., dependency-sustaining relationships).