Managing widowhood in later life : the challenges encountered

Collins, T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9512-6241 2014, 'Managing widowhood in later life : the challenges encountered' , International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 21 (2) , pp. 69-76.

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Abstract

Background/aim: Widowhood in later life is a transition experienced by many older people, particularly older women. This paper explores the challenges encountered by a group of older women experiencing the loss of a spouse or partner. Methods: The data is drawn from a longitudinal study exploring the significance of personal communities in managing the transition of later life widowhood. A series of qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 older widows (62–90 years of age) over a period of 18 months. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: This paper presents a number of themes from the women’s accounts of their Christmas celebrations and their Christmas cards, which illustrate the challenges to managing widowhood in later life. Themes included: family friction, dependence, additional losses, over commitment, passivity and feeling different. Conclusion: The findings reveal that Christmas can be an isolating and excluding experience for some older women, and that widowhood can be compounded by age-related illness, and the loss of social relationships and roles in later life. The research has a number of implications for practice with older women who are widows.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
Publisher:	Mark Allen Healthcare
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1741-1645
Related URLs:	Publisher Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	T Collins
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2014 14:12
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 15:18
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/30859

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