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Negative Life Changes in the Lives of a Working-Age Widows and Widowers and their Families After the Death of a Spouse- a Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13628013
AuthorsMinna Hökkä (0000-0002-3343-4839, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, corresponding author), Anna Liisa Aho (0000-0001-6859-8430, University of Tampere)
Year2025
Pages302228251328198-302228251328198
Publication date2025-03-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00302228251328198
PMID40111178
OpenAlexW4408658525
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited52

The aim of this study was to describe the negative changes in the lives of working-age widow (er)s and their families caused by the death of their spouse. A descriptive qualitative approach was used. The research data was collected with an electronic questionnaire. Negative life changes after the death of a spouse included increased relationship challenges, a cooling of family relationships, and a change in self-identity. In addition, loss of support and having to provide for basic needs alone, increased responsibility for children and everyday life. The feeling of life becoming burdensome were experienced. The death of a spouse causes negative changes in different aspects of life for working-age widow (er)s and their family. The results of this study can be used to develop societal sectors services and underline the particular importance of early support and of the negative life changes that widowhood can bring

Developmental psychology · Everyday life · Feeling · Political science · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Spouse · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
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