Aged parents and their widowed daughters: a support relationship.

This study examined the role of social support from parents, as well as other family members, friends and neighbors for the psychological well-being of 98 recent and still grieving widows. The survey results suggest that the effectiveness of the social support provided recent widows is largely dependent upon who is providing it. Aged parents were the must crucial sources of support; even large amounts of support from others, including their own children, was virtually ineffective. This research suggests that more attention should be focused on the important ways middle-aged or older children may depend upon their elderly parents.