Widow Research Articles

An examination of the factors influencing grief cognition and meaning reconstruction among older bereaved spouses

The study investigated the effect of grief cognitions on grief and meaning reconstruction levels and explored how sociodemographic factors and loss-related variables relate to these outcomes, using a sample of 155 older bereaved spouses in Türkiye. The sample for the study, which used a relational screening model, consisted of 155 participants aged 60 and over from Çankaya district of Ankara. Data were collected using the socio-demographic information form, the grief cognition questionnaire, and the grief and meaning reconstruction inventory. Spearman correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlations between variables, and multiple and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to ascertain the predictors of the scales. The analysis revealed a negative correlation between grief cognitions and grief and meaning reconstruction levels. Expectedness of death and the time elapsed since the spouse’s death were predictors of both grief cognitions and levels of grief and meaning reconstruction.

Mental health on two continua: mental wellbeing and common mental disorders in a community-based cross-sectional study with women in urban informal settlements in India

BackgroundWe considered the suggestion that mental health is the product of two intersecting continua: psychological distress and mental wellbeing.ObjectivesTo understand prevalences of low mental wellbeing, depression and anxiety, and examine associations between them and with sociodemographic variables.MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey in informal settlements, 4906 women aged 18–49 years answered questions on mental wellbeing (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale: SWEMWBS) and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder: GAD-7). We used regression models to examine associations of lower mental wellbeing with symptoms suggesting moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, and with sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAbout 15% of women reported symptoms of low wellbeing, 9% symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression, and 6% symptoms of moderate-to-severe anxiety. Women with low wellbeing did not necessarily report symptoms suggesting anxiety or depression, and women with anxiety or depression did not necessarily report low wellbeing. In adjusted models, poorer and less educated women were more likely to report low wellbeing. Symptoms of anxiety or depression were more likely to be reported by widowed, separated, or divorced women, women who were in paid employment, and women who used drugs or alcohol themselves or whose partners did. Women with low wellbeing had at least double the odds of reporting symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression or anxiety than women who reported greater wellbeing.ConclusionThe findings support the idea of two continua of mental health. How individual women cope with mental illness and nevertheless enjoy a state of wellbeing deserves more study.

The rising cases of suicide among Nigerians: what are the risk factors, prevention, and remedies?

The escalating suicide rate in Nigeria, exacerbated by economic, political, health, and social crises, represents a pressing concern. The aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns has exacerbated this issue, particularly in African nations with bare-bones governmental support systems. This paper examines the underlying causes of the alarming number of suicides in Nigeria, utilizing interviews to explore the risk factors, preventative measures adopted, and crisis interventions. Our findings reveal that spousal conflicts, job loss, and bereavement are significant triggers of suicidal ideation. Recommendations include fostering supportive environments, crisis interventions, and psychological rehabilitation services. Urgent attention is warranted to address this growing trend and mitigate its socioeconomic repercussions in Nigeria.

Antecedents of Life Satisfaction Among Women in Kashmir: An Empirical Study From India

Psychologists believe that life satisfaction is a crucial indicator of an individual's overall health and happiness, regardless of their work or culture. This topic has been extensively researched, with the authors identifying novel antecedents of life happiness. Life satisfaction and health are strongly related, and enhancing one area can improve the other. Frequent shifts in life satisfaction can be harmful to overall health and life expectancy. However, there is still potential to investigate life satisfaction from a fresh perspective, particularly in the Indian context. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing people's levels of pleasure in life, focusing on three categories of women in the Kashmir region: single women, married women, and widowed women. The study used a quantitative research design, including all three types of women: married, unmarried, and widowed. The research objectives were to study optimism, spirituality, resilience, and social support as predictors of life satisfaction among unmarried, married, and widowed women in Kashmir. The findings showed that optimism, spirituality, resilience, and perceived social support all have a beneficial impact on one's level of life satisfaction. Self-confidence under pressure has the biggest impact on life satisfaction, while optimism has the lowest effect amongst all variables.

Empowering Widowed Women with Sustainable Food Security in Tunyai Location, Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya: A Qualitative Analysis of Their Roles, Challenges, and Resilience

Food security, a fundamental global concern, is intrinsically linked to the pivotal roles, women play in agricultural and food production. This qualitative research, conducted in Tunyai Location, Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, delves into the significant contributions of widowed women to food security by exploring their roles in agricultural and food production. The research aims to understand the experiences, challenges, and strategies of widowed women in enhancing the local food supply. Using a purposive sampling method, 50 widowed women actively engaged in agriculture were selected for participation in Key Informant Interviews. NVivo software facilitated the data analysis, enabling systematic exploration and thematic identification of patterns, challenges, and strategies employed by these women. The study findings underscore the profound contributions of widowed women to food security, with 56% actively engaged in agricultural activities. These women represent a cornerstone in sustaining local food security through diverse roles encompassing crop cultivation, livestock management, and food processing. Furthermore, the research underscores the need to address the 44% of widowed women not actively involved, emphasizing potential gender disparities and barriers. In conclusion, this study highlights the integral role of women in enhancing food security and the imperative to address gender-related challenges to ensure a resilient and sustainable local food supply in Tunyai Location.

Marital Status and Advance Care Planning Among Older Adults: Do Gendered Patterns Vary by Age?

Advance care planning (ACP), which comprises a living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPAHC), and end-of-life discussions, is an inherently relational process. However, it is unclear how marital status affects men's and women's ACP over the life course. Drawing on social control and gender-as-relational frameworks, we examine marital status differences in ACP and how these patterns differ by gender and age. Data are from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a representative sample of U.S. older adults (N = 7,074). We estimate logistic regression models to evaluate whether marital status differences in ACP are moderated by age and gender, and multinomial logistic regressions to examine age and gender differences in DPAHC designations among married parents. Analyses are adjusted for sociodemographic and health covariates. Multivariable analyses revealed significant moderation effects for discussions only. Among married/cohabiting persons, women are more likely than men to have end-of-life discussions, with genderdifferences diminishing slightly at oldest ages. Among divorced persons in their 60s and 70s, women are much more likely than men to have had discussions, although this gap converges among the oldest-old. Conversely, young-old widowed men and women are equally likely to have discussions, although women are increasingly likely to do so with advancing age. Men are more likely than women to name their spouse as DPAHC, yet this gap diminishes with age. Healthcare providers can better guide end-of-life consultations if they understand how men's and women's family relationships change with advancing age.

Healthcare-Seeking Behavior of Coastal Women in Bangladesh

Background: Healthcare seeking behavior encompasses actions taken by individuals who perceive themselves to be ill in an attempt to find appropriate remedies. For women, particularly in regions like coastal Bangladesh, socio-cultural and economic barriers often impede their ability to access and utilize healthcare services effectively. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for developing strategies to improve healthcare access and utilization. Objective: To assess the healthcare-seeking behavior of coastal women in Bangladesh, evaluating the quality of services provided and identifying barriers to effective healthcare utilization. Method: This descriptive, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2019, to August 31, 2019, in three randomly selected villages in coastal Bangladesh. A sample of 200 women aged 20 years and above was surveyed using a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire. The study analyzed sociodemographic data and healthcare-seeking behavior, including preferences for healthcare practices and decision-making autonomy. Results: The study revealed that 35% of participants had inhibitions about discussing health issues with family members, and 42% required family permission to access healthcare services. Conversely, 65.5% were able to make their own healthcare decisions. Regarding first-choice healthcare practices, 60.5% preferred visiting qualified medical practitioners, while 19.5% consulted Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs), and 15.5% relied on home remedies. Notably, married women (71.6%) were more likely to make their own healthcare decisions compared to unmarried (53.2%) and widowed (68.2%) women. Literate women showed greater awareness of available health centers (80.6%) compared to illiterate women (56.7%). Conclusion: The findings underscore significant barriers in healthcare access among coastal women, including the need for family permission and reliance on non-qualified practitioners. Socioeconomic ......

Exploring the grief journey of bereaved spouses: Insights into the impact of sedation within palliative care

ABSTRACT Despite being the most susceptible to psychopathological consequences, bereaved cancer spouses remain a vastly understudied group. Addressing this gap, a dedicated French research team comprising clinical psychologists, philosophers, and physicians is conducting an ongoing study focused on the emotional and affective complexities experienced by bereaved spouses after the loss of a loved one due to oncological diseases within the realm of palliative care and Continuous Deep Sedation until Death (CDSD). The preliminary data presented below concern the analysis of nine semi-directed interviews analyzed using ALCESTE software, a tool for statistical analysis of textual data based on word co-occurrences. Analysis and comparison of the thematic categories that emerged showed that social support, deep loneliness, and the preservation of memories emerged as central elements of the marital bereavement experience. In addition, the study highlights the critical role of comprehensive palliative care in France and the delicate nature of sedation experiences, revealing intense emotions such as helplessness and anger. Clear communication and active family participation in end-of-life decisions emerged as crucial factors in alleviating the grieving process in spouses. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and counselors and underscore the critical need for further research focused on sedation.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY WIDOW WOMEN: A SOCIOLWORK STUDY

The purpose of this research is to offer a complete knowledge of the difficulties those widows all over the world experience, as well as the conditions that prevail in families that are headed by women. The raising of awareness about the difficulties that widow’s face in today's society is the secondary goal of this initiative. Among the scholarly publications that investigate the issue of widows in India from a feminist perspective, there is a conspicuous lack of such publications. This study emphasises the necessity of doing an investigation into the challenges that these women face, as well as the necessity of radically altering our perceptions concerning these issues. In the event that a woman suffers the loss of her spouse, she goes through the process of becoming a widow. The term "widowhood" refers to the psychological state that arises after the death of one spouse. Compared to other types of losses, the death of a husband has a more profound effect on a woman's life than any other kind of loss. There is still a small portion of the population, specifically widows, whose circumstances have not improved at all, despite the fact that the majority of Indians have experienced a tremendous improvement in their level of living. It is a source of communal shame that our culture treats widows in the manner that it does. As a result of the passing of her husband, a woman's life goes through a significant transition, which requires her to conform to new social conventions. The primary objective of releasing this essay is to provide a thorough picture of the challenges that the widow encountered. These challenges include the financial and psychological costs that were brought about as a result of the practice's reliance on particular rituals that the widow was unable to participate in. Despite the fact that there are numerous programmes in India that are designed to provide assistance to widows, the situation of widows continues to be extremely precarious. The efforts that the government is making to alleviate the financial difficulties that widows are experiencing are a step in the right direction; nonetheless, these efforts are not satisfactory enough to meet the needs that are essential. An economically impoverished widow who is also suffering from mental depression, so creating a situation that is favourable to both parties involved. She does not receive adequate support from both society and her family. Despite the fact that widows are legally married, there is a reluctance to face the fact that they are ostracised in society and treated with disrespect from others. Despite the fact that there are a great number of programmes in the country that are designed to aid widows, society does not address the challenges that they face. Thus this paper analyzes the challenges and responsibilities faced by widow women in India.

Neglect of Young Widowed Women in Bojonegoro Regency

This research aimed to determine the neglect experienced by young widows in Bojonegoro Regency and the efforts needed to improve their circumstances. 80% of widows are young widows under 35 years old. In reality, Young widows in Bojonegoro are often ignored by their families, society and government. This research used Erich Fromm’s theory to find the realities of young widows and the forms of neglect they receive. This research used qualitative methods by collecting data using purposive sampling and interviewing widows aged 26-35. The results of the research are that young widows in Bojonegoro Regency experience neglect because society and the government are more focused on providing support and attention to their children, not to the widowed themselves. Community treatment is also different between widows because their husbands die and divorce. The biggest problem that burdens young widows is economic problems. Efforts to increase the government’s and society’s awareness of young widowed women can be made in three ways: providing financial assistance, emotional assistance and providing decent work opportunities. The hope of implementing this research is to reduce the neglect of women, especially young widows in Bojonegoro Regency, and increase concern for them so that they are able to be more economically independent and play a role in society. Keywords: Neglect; Young widow; Awareness

Resilience and Matriarchal Values: A Study of Women and Single Mothers in the Minangkabau Community

In the matriarchal Minangkabau community of West Sumatra, women’s roles are often downplayed despite their substantial engagement in both public and private life. This study aimed to uncover the unique value system embraced by Minangkabau women, particularly their resilience and exemplary practices that contribute to local sustainable development. Women’s mental well-being is closely tied to global sustainable development goals, spanning education, non-communicable disease reduction, and social protection. Poverty-induced depression is common among widowed women worldwide, underscoring the need to explore how Minangkabau women respond to contemporary challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hardships. Resilience, a central theme, is shaped by spiritual and environmental factors, fostering overall well-being. The “saparuik” family in Minangkabau society strengthens familial bonds and plays a pivotal role in nurturing resilience. The matrilineal kinship structure offers social security to families, but its impact on women’s resilience amid modern challenges requires further investigation. This study employed qualitative methods, specifically a case study design, to examine women’s experiences in rural areas (Padang Pariaman Regency) and urban settings (Padang City). Interviews with these women revealed a common thread despite their diverse backgrounds. While the Minangkabau matriarchal system may limit women’s influence within the family’s “saparuik,” women consistently embody strong matriarchal ideals when facing adversity. This research enhances our understanding of gender roles in matriarchal systems and underscores women’s crucial contributions to broader sustainable development. Minangkabau women’s resilience serves as a testament to their resilience and their ability to address contemporary challenges, making significant strides toward achieving sustainable development goals. Keywords: Resilience; Single Mother; Matrilineal; Minangkabau; Mental health; SDG’s

The impact of widowhood on mental health: anxiety, depression, and stress among widowed women in Nepal.

In South Asia, particularly in regions with strong patriarchal norms, widowhood is stigmatized, compounding the negative impact of grief and partner loss. This study measured the prevalence of mental health symptoms among widows in Nepal and its relationship to demographic variables. This cross-sectional study surveyed 588 Nepalese widows from six districts in Nepal (mean age = 52.62, SD = 13.99) who had lost their spouses within the past two years. Participants completed the Anxiety, Depression and Stress Scale (ADSS). Analyses examined prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, using standard ADSS cut-points. Level of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms measured by the ADSS in the sample were also compared with female psychiatric and nonpsychiatric normative ADSS data, and were compared with one available comparison sample (a sample of older Nepalese women). Measures of association between ADSS scores and demographic variables were computed. Results showed that a high percentage of the Nepalese widows reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. They also endorsed significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms relative to normative data and the comparison sample. Stress scores were significantly negatively correlated with age, Anxiety and Depression scores were associated with income under the poverty line, and Depression scores were associated with homemaker status. These findings confirm the high emotional distress among widowed women in Nepal, and establish the relationship between emotional distress and poverty, homemaker status, and age. These findings can inform public health efforts and mental health care providers regarding the mental health needs of widows in Nepal.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for men being paid for sex in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of 2016 Ethiopian demographic health survey data

Paying for sex is considered a high-risk sexual behavior, especially among men. Men who pay for sex are perceived to be a bridge group for sexually transmitted illnesses. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of paid sex among men is approximately 4.3%. Men paid for sex are not studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify factors associated with men paying for sex in Ethiopia. We analyzed data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey. In the analysis, 9070 men were included. To identify factors associated with paid-for sex among men, we used a multilevel logistic regression model. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance at the 95% confidence interval (CI). In this study, 509 (5.6%) men were ever paid for sex. Men who paid for sex were significantly more likely to be rich [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.70; 95% CI 1.287, 2.246], widowed or separated (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.142, 3.396), had more sexual partners [AOR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.005, 1.063], had ever been tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.173, 1.916), drank alcohol (AOR = 4.15; 95% CI 3.086, 5.576), and chewing khat (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.822, 2.85); men who had ever paid for sex were significantly less likely to have higher education (AOR = .63; 95% CI .438, .898) and the lowest age at first sex (AOR = .90; 95% CI .870, .924). In conclusion, educational level, wealth status, province, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, HIV status, alcohol consumption status, and chewing khat were significantly associated with men’s paid-for sex. From a public and sexual health perspective, more education is needed for illiterate, widowed, separated, and rich men. Additionally, preventive measures should be taken against men’s behavior through the use of alcohol or khat, having many sexual partners, and having young men.

The Mansion at Mouzinho da Silveira Street, in Lisbon, Portugal

The present article is about the history of a house, more precisely the Mansion at no. 5, Mouzinho da Silveira Street, Lisbon (Portugal), which was once the residence of Amélia Leite Ferreira, a wealthy lady from the upper bourgeoisie. The house was constructed at the end of the nineteenth century, in the Barata Salgueiro Neighborhood, a place that was at that time being urbanized. It was designed in a late nineteenth century eclectic style, but was modified over time, mainly in the interior, to be repurposed as headquarters of the Portuguese Wine and Vineyard Institute. Besides trying to know who Amelia Leite Ferreira was, the questions that we wish to address in this article are precisely how is this building a significant example of the small palaces or mansions that were erected for the bourgeoisie in the newly urbanized areas of Lisbon? Being a house of a rich widow woman, does this have influence in the architecture of the house and its interior decoration? Is this mansion style typical of Portuguese and Lisbon architecture or does this typology can be found in other cities in the same period? Finally, how did the occupation by a public institution affected its architecture? As we will see, this house architecture is mainly typical of the Belle Époque, but the influence of the owner was important for its design, furniture, and decoration. We will also realize that, even though the house is still very similar to its original construction, the transformation from a residence to an institution had impact, especially in its internal structure.

A Case Study on the Adaptation Experience of a Woman Living as an Elderly Single-Person Household after Spousal Bereavement

A Case Study on the Adaptation Experience of a Woman Living as an Elderly Single-Person Household after Spousal Bereavement

가족 사별과 중노년기의 삶의 만족도 및 우울감

This study aims to examine the association of family bereavement with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among middle-agedand older adults, in terms of (1) experience of family bereavement, (2) experience of different types of family bereavement, and (3) the cumulative number of family losses. We analyzed data from the 1st (2006; N = 9,687; all family losses experienced until 2006) and 8th (2020; N = 5,236; recent family losses experienced in the past four years) waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. First, recent family bereavement was negatively associated with life satisfaction, while family bereavement across the life span was not significant for life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Second, among losses across the life span, father and spouse deaths were significant for life satisfaction and depressive symptoms; among recent losses, only spousal bereavement was associated with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Finally, the cumulative number of family losses across the life span (including father, mother, and spouse) was significant for life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, whereas the cumulative number of recent family losses (including father, mother, siblings, children,and spouse) was not significant. These findings underscore the importance of examining both exposure and cumulative effects of family bereavement.

Peran Ganda Janda dalam Menjalankan Fungsi Keluarga di Desa Unte Mungkur III Kecamatan Kolang Kabupaten Tapanuli Tengah

This research aims to determine the dual role of widows in carrying out family functions in Unte Mungkur III Village, Kolang District, Central Tapanuli Regency. This research uses qualitative research with a descriptive type in the form of written and spoken words from people and observed behavior. The aim of the research is to understand in depth the conditions regarding the role of widows in carrying out family functions. The data collection techniques used were observation, interviews and documentation. Apart from secondary data obtained from reading sources, researchers also use direct data obtained directly from the research object. The results of this research show that the role played by a widow is carrying out her life within the family as well as carrying out family functions and taking full responsibility for her children. It can be seen that there is a shift in a family because of the dual roles played by a woman, in general women are more focused on household matters and taking care of children. However, there is a dual role of a widow who has to work every day for the survival of the family, both in earning a living and taking care of children. Researchers found that there are 7 family functions carried out by widowed women in Unte Mungkur III Village, namely: religious function, socio-cultural function, love and affection function, protection function, socialization and education function, economic function and environmental development function.

Spousal bereavement and four-year trajectories of medication use: A nationwide register-based study in Swedish older adults.

Medication use around widowhood has been poorly described for most medication classes. Medication use patterns can reflect health consequences of spousal loss, as previously shown for psychotropic drugs. We used data from nationwide health registers (2008-2020) to describe the patterns of use of dispensed medications in all widowed Swedes aged ≥65 years followed between 2 years before and 2 years after spousal death. All prescription drugs used by at least 5% of the cohort were considered according to their therapeutic subgroups (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical [ATC] classification system 2nd level). We used group-based trajectory models to cluster widowed individuals into up to 4 distinct longitudinal patterns of monthly medication use. We ranked the therapeutic subgroups with similar patterns according to their plausibility to reflect potential health effects of spousal loss, compared to those of psycholeptics (mainly anxiolytics, hypnotics) and psychoanaleptics (mainly antidepressants) as the references. From 212,111 widowed adults included (68% female and 70% aged ≥75 years), we observed a significant increasing trend in medication use, especially after spousal death, for 21 out of the 39 different therapeutic subgroups that were used by at least 5% (most represented pharmacological groups: cardiovascular system, nervous system, and alimentary tract and metabolism). This increasing trend often concerned only a small proportion of individuals, with varying magnitude and speed of change in medication use across therapeutic subgroups. The patterns of use of antiepileptics, laxatives, skin emollients/protectives, analgesics, and drugs for anemia, constipation, or peptic ulcers, were the closest to those of references, displaying the largest changes in use, and were therefore ranked as the most likely to reflect health effects of spousal loss. Our results confirmed the increase in psychotropic medications' use in widowed older adults and identified several potential physical health effects of spousal loss that warrant further research.

Spiritual and Scientific Benefits of Iddah (Waiting Period) to Muslim Widow and Divorcee

Iddah is basically a waiting period, defined by Allah so that if any pregnancy has occurred just before the spouse’s death or separation, the fatherhood of that pregnancy should be clearly identified. With the advent of modern technology, the Islamic rule of Iddah is criticized stating that the months’ long wait in getting re-married is outdated. This research work investigates the adherence practices of widows and divorcee to this legislation of Iddah along with its associated benefits. The methodology followed the descriptive approach of literature review of jurisprudence books and regulations regarding Iddah. In addition, a survey was conducted to investigate 45 Muslim divorced and widow women’s experiences of Iddah. Thematic method was used to analyse the data. About 95% of participants showed understanding of Iddah as a mean of determining paternity, reconciliation and worshiping. Sadness and mourning were important features in divorce and widow cases, respectively and community and civic support were available during Iddah. During Iddah which represents 3-4 menstrual cycles, the repeated shedding of the endometrium necessitates complete repair and regeneration of the denuded surface. This may be viewed as an inevitable consequence of reproductive quality control and benefit in reproductive success when a widow or divorcee re-marry.

The Impact of Cardio Karate Training on Psychological Stress Reduction and Enhancement of Psychological Security among Widowed Women: An Experimental Research Study

The Impact of Cardio Karate Training on Psychological Stress Reduction and Enhancement of Psychological Security among Widowed Women: An Experimental Research Study