Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
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The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 56:S56-S61 (2001)
© 2001 The Gerontological Society of America


RESEARCH ARTICLE

Gender Differences in the Depressive Effect of Widowhood in Later Life

Gary R. Leea, Alfred DeMarisa, Stefoni Bavinb and Rachel Sullivanc

a Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University, Ohio
b College of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington
c Department of Sociology, University of Connecticut, Storrs

Gary R. Lee, Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0231 E-mail: grlee{at}bgnet.bgsu.edu.

Objectives.

This study documented the stronger adverse effect of widowhood on the psychological well-being of men than that of women and explained why this gender difference in the effect of widowhood exists.

Methods.

Data came from Wave 1 of the National Survey of Families and Households. Married and widowed people aged 65 and older were selected (n = 1,686). The dependent variable was the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression scale (CES-D).

Results.

Widowhood was indeed more depressing for men than women. However, this was due primarily to the fact that married men were much less depressed than married women; widowed men and women were comparably depressed. Other contributors to the stronger effect of widowhood for men included men's shorter average time since widowhood, lower frequency of church attendance, stronger dislike of domestic labor, and lessened ability to assist their children.

Discussion.

Although widowhood has a strong depressive effect for older men, its effect for women is nonsignificant, and it explains a small proportion of the variation in depressive symptomatology. This suggests that most people, particularly women, adapt relatively well in the long run.




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S.-T. Cheng and A. C. M. Chan
Relationship With Others and Life Satisfaction in Later Life: Do Gender and Widowhood Make a Difference?
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2006; 61(1): P46 - P53.
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Journal of Family IssuesHome page
J.-H. Ha, D. Carr, R. L. Utz, and R. Nesse
Older Adults' Perceptions of Intergenerational Support After Widowhood: How Do Men and Women Differ?
Journal of Family Issues, January 1, 2006; 27(1): 3 - 30.
[Abstract] [PDF]




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