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What path should I take? A qualitative study exploring the process of widowhood for older women

dc.contributor.authorCoochise, Jodi L., author
dc.contributor.authorVacha-Haase, Tammi, advisor
dc.contributor.authorRickard, Kathryn, committee member
dc.contributor.authorSwaim, Randall, committee member
dc.contributor.authorMatheson, Jennifer, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:39:06Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T06:39:06Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractThe present qualitative study explored the process older adult women experience as they navigate their course through widowhood. Interviews were conducted with 10 women over the age of 55 to investigate what factors went in to their decisions regarding coping with the loss of their spouse. Findings suggest that women looked to others for guidance and advice in navigating multiple aspects of their experience. They turned to peers with experience of a similar loss, listened to their internal voice of what was a good fit, and focused on taking one day at a time. Messages from others, the perceived expectations of others, and their own internal expectations also shaped their widowhood experience. Ultimately, they had to determine what coping strategies were a good match and provided some relief from their distress. The findings suggest that widowed women may benefit from exploring the input received from others, increasing awareness around the messages received from family regarding loss and encouragement to utilize their internal voice as a guide for creating their own unique experience of grief.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierCoochise_colostate_0053A_12205.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/82509
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectgrief
dc.subjectwidowhood
dc.subjectwidow
dc.subjectspousal loss
dc.titleWhat path should I take? A qualitative study exploring the process of widowhood for older women
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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