Krause seeks to see if stressors arising in highly valued roles affect health by eroding an older person's sense of meaning in life, and to assess whether emotional support provided by social network members helps offset the deleterious effects of stress on meaning and health. Findings suggest that life events arising in roles that are valued highly are associated with less favorable health ratings. Moreover, the data reveal that stressors in highly valued roles affect health primarily by eroding an older person's sense of meaning in life.