Gender Differences in the Depressive Effect of Widowhood in Later Life

Lee, Gary R.; DeMaris, Alfred; Bavin, Stefoni; Sullivan, Rachel

doi:10.1093/geronb/56.1.s56

Cited by 202 publications

(174 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Moreover, the lack of attention to time since loss may lead to an inaccurate portrayal of gender differences in bereavement. On average, men are widowed for shorter time periods than women, because they are more likely to exit the "widowed" state via either remarriage or mortality (Lee et al 2001). At any given time, a higher proportion of widowers than widows are recently bereaved and the recently bereaved tend to have poorer outcomes.…”

Section: Analytic Concernsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender, Aging and Widowhood

Carr

Bodnar‐Deren

2009

International Handbook of Population Aging

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Section: Analytic Concernsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender, Aging and Widowhood

Carr

Bodnar‐Deren

2009

International Handbook of Population Aging

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“…Furthermore, the resultant depression may last for many years after widowhood, which prolongs the adverse effects in older women (22,23). Therefore, compared with older married women, older widowed women experience a greater number of mild psychiatric problems, more depressive symptoms, and a lower level of life satisfaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Health of Older Women in Hong Kong: Do Demographic Characteristics Make a Difference?

Boey

2017

Women Health Bull

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Background: The aging population of Hong Kong is rapidly growing. Although older adults enjoy a relatively long life expectancy, their psychological health is ranked near the bottom in the world. Objectives: This study assessed the psychological health of older women in Hong Kong and compared it with that of older men. It also aimed to examine if demographic characteristics have similar effects on the psychological health of older women and men. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was administered in face-to-face interviews with 554 participants (288 women and 266 men), aged 70 years or above. Psychological health was measured by the general health questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30), center for epidemiologic studies-depression (CES-D) scale, and life satisfaction index (LSI). Chi square test was performed to examine gender differences in psychological health and determine the relationship between demographic characteristics and psychological health of the elderly. Results: Compared with older men, a greater proportion of older women were at risk of mild psychiatric problems (22.1% vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001), depression (38.6 vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001), and dissatisfaction with life (38.5% vs. 21.5%, P = 0.002). The correlation of psychological health with age, marital status, and educational attainment was not similar among older women and men. Conclusions: Health promotion programs should be implemented to reduce health inequalities among men and women. Effectiveness of programs can be enhanced by targeting the elderly whose psychological health is most vulnerable.

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“…Entre los viudos la incidencia de la depresión es sensiblemente superior que entre los casados o entre las viudas. También lo son la degradación de los hábitos alimentarios, el tabaquismo o el alcoholismo, e incluso la angustia por enfrentar en solitario las tareas domésticas (Lee et al, 2001). La viudedad femenina, mucho más frecuente, no aumenta la mortalidad ni el resto de los anteriores fenómenos (de hecho, el tiempo de dedicación a las tareas domésticas disminuye).…”

Section: Feminización De La Vejez Y Estado Del Bienestar En Españaunclassified

Feminización de la vejez y Estado del Bienestar en España

Díaz¹

2003

Reis

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Se va a sostener aquí que la transformación de la dinámica poblacional conocida como «transición demográfi-ca» es un importante motor de cambio no sólo en la distribución de la población entre las diferentes edades, sino también en la de los roles tradicionalmente asignados a cada sexo.Se trata de cambios estrechamente relacionados. El creciente peso de las personas de edad madura y avanzada, y la generalización de la supervivencia hasta dichas edades, abren nuevas posibilidades de organización social y familiar, y nuevos «diseños» de ciclo vital individual. Sostendré que la distribución de roles productivos y reproductivos está dejando de tener al sexo como eje, para articularse en torno a la edad. Es bien sabido que las edades jóvenes y adultas se orientan cada vez más hacia comportamientos hasta ahora considerados «masculinos», y se sugiere que las edades maduras y avanzadas podrían estar experimentando una preponderancia inversa de aquellos otros hasta ahora considerados «femeninos». Es esa «feminización de la vejez» el fenómeno que se pretende demostrar a continuación, argumentando, además, las ventajas y riesgos sociales que implica.

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Gender Differences in the Depressive Effect of Widowhood in Later Life

Abstract: 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.

Cited by 202 publications

References 28 publications

Gender, Aging and Widowhood

Gender, Aging and Widowhood

Psychological Health of Older Women in Hong Kong: Do Demographic Characteristics Make a Difference?

Feminización de la vejez y Estado del Bienestar en España

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