Widowhood
Social Support And Reintegration
Although social support is presumed to play an important role in bereavement outcomes and act as a buffer for stressful life events, the research is inconclusive. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the extent to which members of the social network provide various types of assistance to the bereaved is important to the pattern of recovery and adaptation (Ferraro 2001). Available confidants and access to self-help groups to assist with emotional management can help counter loneliness and promote the survivor's reintegration into society.
Much of the variability in bereavement response can be attributed to intrapersonal resources that make coping easier. For example, it has been found that a sense of optimism and belief that life has meaning is integral to how well the widowed adapted to their bereavement (Caserta and Lund 1993). Some other major factors that strongly influence the degree of difficulty experienced by widowed individuals include self-confidence (i.e., the belief that one will be able to manage the situation); a sense of optimism and self-efficacy, derived from having coped with previous life transitions; and strong self-esteem (Parkes 1988).
Widows and widowers show considerable variation in concluding their grief work, some essentially completing the process in months, others sometimes taking years to adapt to life without their mate. A small minority of people never get over the trauma of the loss. With help, however, the majority of the widowed are capable of eventually adapting to their new circumstances, managing their everyday affairs and maintaining a sense of purpose and a life of personal satisfaction.
See also: DEATH AND DYING; ELDERS; FAMILY ROLES; FILIAL RESPONSIBILITY; GRIEF, LOSS AND BEREAVEMENT; HEALTH AND FAMILIES; HOUSING; INHERITANCE; IN-LAW RELATIONSHIPS; LATER LIFE FAMILIES; LONELINESS; MARITAL QUALITY; POVERTY; REMARRIAGE; RETIREMENT; SELF-ESTEEM; SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES; STRESS; SUICIDE
Bibliography
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Walsh, F., and McGoldrick, M. (1991). "Loss and the Family: A Systemic Perspective." In Living Beyond Loss: Death in the Family, ed. F. Walsh and M. McGoldrick. New York: Norton.
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Other Resources
American Association of Retired Persons. (2001). "Coping with Grief and Loss: Statistics about Widowhood." Available from www.aarp.org/griefandloss/stats.html.
MacDonald, J. (2000). "Careful Choices Can Help Brighten the Future after the Sudden Loss of a Spouse." Available from http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/sav/2000530.asp.
FELIX M. BERARDO
DONNA H. BERARDO
Additional topics
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaOther Marriage & Family TopicsWidowhood - Demography Of The Widowed, Bereavement And Adaptation, Bereavement And Developmental Stages, Gender Differences, Social Support And Reintegration