Gender Differences in the Relationship of Widowhood and Psychological Well-Being Among Low Income Elderly

The present study examined the influence of widowhood on the psychological well-being of low income elderly women and men while controlling for a number of mediating variables. Both widows and widowers were found to have lower psychological well-being than their married counterparts once health and social network differences were controlled. Health status and social networks were the major predictors of psychological well-being. Married women reported many more stress related ailments than any other group. Among women, friends contributed more to psychological well-being than family contact. Among men, family rather than friends were more highly correlated with psychological well-being. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.