Design: Qualitative using phenomenological inquiry

Population, Sample, Setting, Year: Women widows ages 35-60 years; ten widows; Northeastern USA; 2003.

Concept Studied: Description of widowhood experience for mid-life widows.

Methods: Purposive sample using ‘snowball’ technique, in-depth face-to-face 90 minute audio-taped interviews using seven broad-based questions. Data transcriptions were analyzed using constant comparative method.

Findings: Findings revealed these women struggled to re-create ‘a new normal’ in their lives; were surprised to find significant inner strength and resiliency in themselves; found greater support in bereavement groups than in family or social networks; and found their social milieu greatly changed. Most described a lack of peers, and voiced surprise at the degree to which society revolves around couple-related activities. Those without financial stresses described themselves as more confident about their future than those who discussed financial worries. Widows experiencing sudden death of their husbands described somewhat different stressors from those widows whose husbands died from chronic illness.

Conclusions: Widowhood can be a profoundly stressful experience. Mid-life widows often describe no discernable peer group, and view themselves as isolated, financially-challenged, but resilient. Community and church-related bereavement networks can provide timely support for widows, especially for those who do not find adequate support in familial networks.

Implications: Nursing is a holistic profession that needs to address not only end-of-life issues for the dying, but bereavement, health, and social issues of survivors. Nurses can play a primary role in listening to, and counseling widows, as well as in case-finding and in making appropriate referrals.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
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