In this chapter the stability of social relationships is considered, with special attention paid to research and theory emanating from the fields of gerontology and stress. Gerontology from its very beginnings has identified social relationships as vital to the well-being of older persons. Stress research generally has been more circumscribed in its treatment of social relationships. The latter have been studied primarily for their role as potential mediators in the basic stress paradigm. This paradigm includes three elements: (a) stressors, which are the acute and chronic events and situations that impact on individuals; (b) mediators, such as social supports, that may moderate or shape the potential impact of stressors; and (c) outcomes, generally cast in terms of physical and psychological.

Despite the attention paid to social supports in studies of aging and stress, the significance of stability in relationships has received little direct attention. However, literally hundreds of studies have investigated one particular form of relational instability: social losses resulting from bereavement or divorce or relocation.

After examining a number of issues related to stability, a final section of the chapter evaluates the stability of relationships on the basis of data from a longitudinal study of normative transitions. In this latter study, subjects were followed up periodically over a 10-year period. The results provide evidence of the multiple forces associated with the stability of social activities.