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Related Experiment Videos

Aging widows and widowers: are there mental health differences?

M C Feinson

    International Journal of Aging & Human Development
    |January 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary

    Aging widowers do not experience more emotional distress than aging widows after spousal death. Research shows similar bereavement impacts for men and women, challenging common perceptions.

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    Area of Science:

    • Gerontology
    • Psychiatry
    • Sociology

    Background:

    • Common perception suggests aging men experience greater emotional distress than women following spousal death.
    • This perception is often attributed to men's perceived disorientation and loss of domain after widowhood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To examine the perception that aging widowers are more emotionally distressed than aging widows.
    • To review existing literature and present new data on gender differences in bereavement distress.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of behavioral and psychological studies on bereavement.
    • Analysis of data from a random probability community mental health survey.
    • Regression analyses examining gender and sociodemographic variables.

    Main Results:

    • Little evidence supports the perception of greater male distress; some studies show mixed results on male mortality.
    • Bereaved individuals showed higher rates of mental disorders than married individuals on one measure.
    • Widows reported more distress and depression, but these gender differences diminished when controlling for other factors.

    Conclusions:

    • Findings do not support the perception that aging widowers experience more emotional problems than aging widows.
    • Perceptions and mental health policies regarding spousal bereavement should be revised to reflect similarities between aging widows and widowers.

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