Gender differences in the relationship between social support and strain and mortality among a national sample of adults.

We assessed gender differences in the relationship between mortality and social support, strain, and affectual solidarity received from family, friends and spouses. Data of 6259 adults from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) survey were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards were used to assess relationships between mortality and support, strain, and affectual solidarity and whether the associations varied by gender. Support from family, friends, and spouses/partners and friend affectual solidarity were associated with lower mortality in the total sample. Friend strain was associated with higher mortality in the total sample. Family support and family, friend, and spouse affectual solidarity were associated with lower mortality in women. Friend and spouse strain were associated with a higher mortality for women. Support from friends, family and spouse are beneficial for reducing mortality in men and women. Friend and spouse strain are targets for minimizing mortality risk in women.