Psychological Response to Later Life Widowhood

Coping and the Effects of Gender

Dados Bibliográficos

ID13629931
AutoresKate Mary Bennett (University of Liverpool), Kate Bennett (0000-0003-3164-6894, University of Liverpool, autor correspondente), Georgina Hughes (University of Liverpool), Georgina M Hughes (University of Liverpool), Philip T Smith (University of Reading)
Ano2005
Volume51
Fascículo1
Páginas33-52
Data de publicação2005-08-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/9jpj-1fm1-37nx-2dec
OpenAlexW2160747620
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas25
Referências citadas29

The study examined the effects of psychological response and gender on coping with late life widowhood. Forty-six men and 46 women (55 years +) were interviewed about their experiences of widowhood. Participants were classified as to whether they were coping well or less well. Data were analyzed using grounded theory, content analysis, and three-way loglinear analyses. Loglinear analyses revealed three-way interactions for Gender, Coping, and Response. Men who report feeling upset or selfish are more likely to be coping, as are women who report being comfortable alone. There were two-way interactions between Coping and Response and Gender and Response. Participants who talk to their dead spouse are more likely to be coping than those who do not. Those who “keep themselves to themselves” are more likely not to be coping than those who do not. Gender differences were found in psychological response. Differences were also found between those who coped and those who coped less well. The study has enabled the synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data to present a more complete view of late life widowhood than has previously been possible. In addition, the article draws attention to the importance of distinguishing between the effects of bereavement and those of widowhood

Coping (psychology · Coping behavior · Developmental psychology · Feeling · Spouse · Clinical Psychology · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Migration, Health and Trauma · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology · Social Psychology