Involuntary freedom in elderly widows – narrative looks

Authors

  • Carriço Sílvia Universidade de Aveiro.
  • Rui Neves Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2014v17i3p43-57

Keywords:

Aging, Widowhood in a feminine, Activities.

Abstract

The widowhood process in the elderly is mainly experienced by women, due to the age differential between feminine and masculine average life expectancy. In this context, this study aims to understand the state of widowhood in a feminine point of view, analyzing its impact in lifestyle choices, identifying the changes occurred in the lives of elderly women and, in which way the widowhood influences the choice of different everyday and leisure activities. Using a qualitative methodology, it has been organized as an exploratory-descriptive study, in which was used a study group composed by 30 elderly widowed women, aged 65 or above. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews, then analyzed in terms of content with the support of WebQ da Software (Web Qualitative Data Analysis). Results show that the fact of having become widowed gave the elderly a greater independence and sense of liberty. Simultaneously, it also showed that in the early years of widowhood, widows show more feelings of grief and nostalgia for their loved one (feeling of missing someone immensely).

 

Author Biographies

Carriço Sílvia, Universidade de Aveiro.

Mestrado em Gerontologia. Centro Comunitário da Vera Cruz – Aveiro (Portugal). Seção Autónoma de Ciências da Saúde – Universidade de Aveiro.

 

Rui Neves, Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal).

Departamento de Educação / Centro de Investigação em Didática e Tecnologia Educativa na Formação de Formadores - Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal).


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Published

2014-09-30

How to Cite

Sílvia, C., & Neves, R. (2014). Involuntary freedom in elderly widows – narrative looks. Revista Kairós-Gerontologia, 17(3), 43–57. https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2014v17i3p43-57

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Papers

License

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