Exploring the lived experiences and life transitions of later life widows and widowers

Billy Lee, J Kahkonen, M Duncan, A Calder, A Black, S Laking, C Stewart

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterpeer-review

Abstract

Background: (Fasse & Zech, 2016) have indicated a need for studies of subjectiveexperience to substantiate models of coping and recovery from the loss of a spouse. An interpretative phenomenological approach was employed to understand later-life widowhood focussing on married life, time around the loss, and prospects and concerns for the future. Methods: Four widowers and two widows were interviewed about single life, family life, social life, daily routines, grieving, pastimes, and prospects. Phenomenological interviewing principles were employed to attempt to elicit concrete, experience-near accounts. The method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to make sense of the transcripts, attending to the interplay between giving voice to and making sense of the participants’ experiences (Larkin, Watts and Clifton, 2006). Findings: Four themes with associated subthemes captured their understandings of later-life widowhood: 1. Aloneness; 2. Their Continuing Presence; 3. Entering Life Again; 4. Taking Control of Feelings. Discussion: Later-life widowhood leaves it harder for the individual to reconstruct their identity and attain a sense of normal life again. Distinctive subthemes such as ‘Letting go yet not forgetting’ and ‘Keeping them close’ provide lived experiences of widowhood to critique existing models of coping and recovery from the loss of a spouse.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 19 May 2017
EventInternational Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Conference - Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 18 May 201719 May 2017

Conference

ConferenceInternational Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow
Period18/05/1719/05/17

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • later life
  • widowhood
  • lived experience
  • phenomenology

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