Changes in subjective wellbeing during widowhood: Gender differences and the buffering effect of the close social network

Objective: This study investigates how structural and functional aspects of social networks influence the impact of widowhood on subjective well-being among adults aged 50 and older, with a focus on gender differences in adaptation and the buffering role of pre-widowhood social ties. Background: Prior research links widowhood to declines in subjective well-being, though the degree of impact may vary depending on individuals’ social connections. While supportive relationships can buffer distress during major life transitions, their effectiveness is not always supported - some evidence suggests social capital alone may be insufficient to prevent well-being deterioration. Additionally, gender differences in adjustment have been observed, with men often facing greater challenges, although findings remain inconsistent and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Methods: We apply coarsened exact matching to compare widow and non-widow groups and conduct panel fixed-effect regression analyses using longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to explore the transition into widowhood and its impact on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, with a particular focus on how pre-existing social network resources may mitigate these effects. Results: Widowhood is linked to lower life satisfaction and increased depressive symptoms for both sexes, though women tend to recover better over time in terms of life satisfaction. A more diverse social network - including non-kin and non-friend connections, such as former colleagues or neighbors - provides some support for well-being during this transition. In contrast, a higher perceived quality of pre-existing social relationships appears to amplify the negative effects of widowhood, particularly for women. Conclusion: This study explores how life satisfaction and depressive symptoms evolve over time in response to widowhood, offering insight into the role of pre-existing social ties in individuals' adjustment. Overall, our results suggest that the partner is often the most central relationship for both men and women, and their loss may not be easily offset by the presence of kins or friends in the social network. - Appendix: https://ubp.uni-bamberg.de/jfr/index.php/jfr/article/view/1155/841