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Hallucinations of widowhood.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 1, 1985
Summary
Many widowed individuals experience hallucinations of their deceased spouse, often finding these visions helpful. This study highlights the commonality of these grief-related phenomena in the United States.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Bereavement Studies
Background:
- Widowhood is a significant life event associated with profound grief.
- Hallucinatory experiences of deceased loved ones are a recognized, though not widely discussed, aspect of bereavement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and nature of hallucinatory experiences among widowed nursing home residents in the United States.
- To compare findings with previous international research on spousal bereavement hallucinations.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 widows and 6 widowers in two nursing homes.
- Participants were screened for orientation to person, time, and place.
Main Results:
- 61% of widows reported experiencing hallucinations of their deceased spouse.
- 86% of these widows found the experiences to be good or helpful.
- 54% had never discussed these experiences prior to the study.
Conclusions:
- Hallucinatory experiences of deceased spouses are common among widowed older adults in the US.
- These experiences are often perceived positively and are frequently kept private.
- Findings align with previous research, suggesting a universal aspect of spousal bereavement.