| Abstract: | 119 widows and widowers (median age 57 yrs), representing 54% of those contacted, were interviewed 13-16 mo after the death of their spouse and were requested to complete an 8-item self-report measure of adjustment-depression. The measure was also administered to 100 married individuals (median age 56 yrs). Results show that the married were significantly better adjusted than the widowed. Widowers were significantly better adjusted than widows. The superior adjustment of widowers held up when controlled for income, amount of forewarning, education, and age. After sex, the 2nd main predictor of adjustment was the amount of forewarning about the spouse's death, although this was a factor only for widows. Forewarning was especially important when there had been some period of unhappiness in the marriage or when the patient had experienced prolonged and serious suffering. Age and education were positively related to adjustment, especially for widows. The widowed who lived alone or with dependent children were better adjusted than those who lived with independent children. Results suggest that counselors in a medical setting should give special attention to the importance of anticipatory grief in women. Counselors might also encourage follow-up visits by physicians or local clergy, as the present findings revealed that 25% of the widowed were still depressed after one year. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
