Stress and wellbeing during chronic illness and partner death in later-life: the role of social support

• Chronic illness and partner death are two significant stressors in older adulthood.
• These stressors are associated with reductions in wellbeing among older adults.
• Social support is a key factor in the stress-wellbeing link in older adulthood.
• Research into social support in older adulthood is often atheoretical.
• Integrating social support with attachment theory is needed to advance the field.

Chronic illness and the death of a romantic partner are two of the most significant stressors reported by older adults, resulting in various physical and mental health consequences. Evidence suggests that social support is a key factor in understanding the association between chronic illness and widowhood and the wellbeing of older adults. Nevertheless, research into social support is often approached in an atheoretical manner when investigating these stressors in older adulthood. We attempt to address this theoretical chasm by proposing an integrative model to explain social support processes in older couples which draws on models of social support and attachment theory. Our model provides an important framework for understanding existing research findings as well as guiding future research.