REBUILDING THE NETWORK - NEW RELATIONSHIPS IN WIDOWHOOD

This study examined the formation of nonkin relationships in widowhood , using personal network data from 548 older men and women who lost a partner through death fewer than 10 years earlier. Relationships estab lished after the death of the spouse were cited by 27.6% of the respon dents. New relationships with neighbors were cited in particular. New relationships were more often nominated by women than by men. Formatio n of new relationships was strongly and positively associated with the duration of widowhood, the presence of a new partner. and having put effort into seeking new relationships. The findings suggest that, to g ain a proper understanding of why some widowed individuals form new re lationships and others do not, knowledge is required about the quality of the social network prior to widowhood.