SKILSMISSE OG SOSIAL STØTTE

Abstract

SUMMARY The article presents a theoretical frame of reference for research on divorce based on a revised theory of stress and coping. Most research on divorce has taken for granted that divorce constitutes a stress reaction or trauma and the authors argue that this is not a fact for everyone. A new model on reactions to divorce must incorporate the mediating variables that hamper or facilitate adaption. One of these variables is social support. While literature on social support from the informal social network tend to regard the individual as a passive recipient of help and support, the authors assume that the individual to a certain degree is able to create, maintain and change the social network.