Psychological resilience and the well-being of widowed women

Abstract

The majority of older women in enduring relationships contend with conjugal bereavement. Although most experience considerable distress in the immediate aftermath of this loss, the majority adjusts over the course of time. The current study applies the theory of psychological resilience (or hardiness) to this topic. Results of this study suggest that psychological resilience is significantly associated with both satisfaction with life and (inversely) with psychiatric distress (N=232). These findings emerged despite statistical control for a myriad of sociodemographic factors (e.g., years married, preparation for death, duration of widowhood). Of the resilience factors, commitment to living appears most salient with respect to the well-being of widowed women. Limitations of the use of the Internet as a vehicle for data collection are considered as well as directions for future study.