Health Concerns and Adjustment to the First Year of Widowhood: Differences Between Men and Women

• In Event: 343 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Aging and Health

Abstract

Purpose: This paper examines differences between men and women in adjustment to widowhood. Past research has indicated that the role of social support on adjustment to widowhood remains inconclusive, and needs further examination.

Methods: This study used in-depth and semi-structured interviews as a means of understanding the role of social support on adjustment to widowhood. Participants were recruited through two hospice services available in a major metropolitan area in the United States. This paper reports on middle aged (40 -59 years old) people who are within a bereavement stage of one year or less.

Results: Widowers in this study were more likely to avoid using the bereavement counseling that accompanies Hospice compared to widows. Additionally, widowers were more likely to have a higher linkage to negative health behaviors compared to the widows. Negative health behaviors include a decrease in exercise and an increase in alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, gambling, and isolation.

Conclusions: Widows in this study are more likely to receive emotional support from their social networks that encourage the utilization of bereavement counseling whereas widowers are less likely to receive emotional support. Widowers in this group reported a scarcity in emotional support, and were often encouraged by their social networks to repress their feelings by turning to and engaging in negative health behaviors.

Authors

• Noshin Rafieei, Arizona State University

• Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld, Arizona State University