An Empirical Search for Stages of Widowhood

Developmental theory and clinical experience suggest that stages of adjustment to widowhood beyond the initial stages of grief may exist. Structured interviews with 193 widowed community residents over sixty-two were conducted as part of a needs assessment survey of the elderly in Wichita. One hundred fifty-one variables including eight psycho-social needs, the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale scale, age perception, future orientation, presence of or desire for a confidant, contact with children, and participation in work, volunteer, religious and organizational roles were assessed, as well as transportation, nutrition, health care, household and educational needs. The median was used to differentiate short-term from long-term widowhood. The two groups differed significantly on fewer than 5 per cent of the variables. This was true of both widows and widowers. Six categories of widowhood were then defined ranging from less than three years to over twenty years. Only about 6 per cent of the variables were related to the six “stages.” The results provide further evidence that the stresses of widowhood persist for years after the spouse's death; they do not confirm the existence of separate stages of adaptation.