Widowhood and Aging in Latin America

Abstract

The loss by the death of a spouse is the condition called widowhood; this condition requires performing a psychosocial and family adjustment as a way to assume the loss. The meaning of widowhood depends on socio-cultural, economic and personal circumstances such as age, gender, number of years lived with the spouse and life stage. The objectives of the study focused on investigating the circumstances of widowhood, consequences, social support network, social participation and creation of a new relationship. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, 235 elderly people 60 years and over from different Latin American countries participated. Results showed a greater proportion of women, most of the participants have over 10 years of widowhood. 62.6% lost their husbands because of a terminal illness, 65.5% take care of them. With widowhood appeared economic problems (37.4%) health problems (31.5) and loneliness (51.5%). 77. 9% reported having overcome the mourning86.4% received more emotional support from family. Most do not see the husband's family after the death. The higher percentage increases their participation in different activities 56.6 % religious 40.4% banking steps, 39.1% educational and 35.7% tourism. Most rated the relationship with their partner as good, and 77.4% not formed new relationships. Conclusions: the longer life expectancy of women determines a higher percentage of widows; women were responsible for the care. Spouse's death and loneliness caused these people took refuge in the family. After the loss social participation increases and decreases the relationship with the husband's family.