Friendships Developed Subsequent to a Stressful Life Event: The Interplay of Leisure, Social Capital, and Health

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of friendships forged subsequent to a stressful life event and its implications for the health and well-being of women coping with infertility. In so doing, this research contributes to the leisure and stress- coping literature by expanding our understanding of friendship forms of support. The findings suggest friendships are important to health and well-being because such social ties create social capital, which facilitates emotional support (expressive action) and access to information and resources (instrumental action). However, the results also demonstrate there are situations where friendships burden women, through the norms and effective sanctions associated with the friendships, to participate in what amount to as stressful activities.

KEYWORDS:

• Social capital
• social support
• qualitative inquiry
• obstructive action

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Troy D. Glover

Troy Glover is the Director of the Healthy Communities Research Network and an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo.

Diana C. Parry

Diana Parry is an Affiliated Scientist with the Centre of Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo.