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On Having a "Significant Other" During the Parent Care Years

Philadelphia Geriatric Center

Sandra J. Litvin

Philadelphia Geriatric Center

Christine Hoffman

Philadelphia Geriatric Center

Morton H. Kleban

Philadelphia Geriatric Center

In a study of 520 parent-caring women of different marital statuses, 29% of not-married daughters (separated, divorced, widowed, never married) responded affirmatively to the question "Do you have a special male friend whom you see exclusively?" This group is compared with married daughters and with not-married daughters who did not have such friends. Those without special male friends were the oldest, had the oldest and most disabled parents with whom they most often shared households, and had the fewest helpers in caregiving. Women without a special male relationship were more depressed than married women. Both groups of not-married women had significantly less socioemotional support in caregiving and reported receiving less satisfaction from their family and friendship networks than married women. The results also support findings on the value of emotional support from a confidant.

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