Resilience Among Nepali Widows After the Death of a Spouse: “That Was My Past and Now I Have to See My Present”

Abstract

Responses to the death of a spouse vary; although some are at increased risk of poorer physical and mental health outcomes, others have more resilient responses. In light of the limited scope of research on widows' experiences in Nepal, a setting where widows are often marginalized, we explore themes of resilience in Nepali widows' lives. Drawing from a larger qualitative study of grief and widowhood, a thematic narrative analysis was performed on narratives from four widows that reflected resilient outcomes. Individual assets and social resources contributed to these widows' resilient outcomes. Forgetting, acceptance, and moving forward were complemented by confidence and strength. Social support and social participation were key to widows' resilient outcomes. These four narratives reflect the sociocultural context that shape widows' resilient outcomes in Nepal. Future studies on the emergent themes from this exploratory study will help identify how best to encourage resilient outcomes among widows.

Feasibility of Group Problem Management Plus (PM+) to improve mental health and functioning of adults in earthquake-affected communities in Nepal

“…Additionally, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) self-assesses participants' connectedness with family and friends (Zimet et al ., 1990) and has been locally adapted (Hendrickson et al ., 2018) and validated to use with Nepali populations (Tonsing et al ., 2012). The three subscales within the MSPSS were found to be significantly correlated (Family with Friends, r = 0.530, p < 0.01; Family with Significant Others, r = 0.540, p < 0.01; and Significant Others with Friends, r = 0.575, p < 0.01) (Tonsing et al ., 2012).…”

“I Haven’t Given Up and I’m Not Gonna”: A Phenomenographic Exploration of Resilience Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

“…In addition, certain factors such as health, autonomy, and relationships were also noted by Finfgeld-Connett et al (2012) as affecting homeless women’s perceived competence. Moreover, Hendrickson et al (2018) identified aspects such as social supports and relationships as aspects of the resilience process. These comparisons suggest some similarities between homelessness and the resilience experience.…”

“…Identifying resilience as it emerges in situ may offer points at which the positive aspects of this concept can be strengthened. As this concept is known to be a protective factor for a variety of vulnerable populations and conditions, such as homeless youth (Kidd, 2008; Rew et al, 2001), abused and neglected children (DuMont, Widom, & Czaja, 2007), as well as mental health challenges (Davidson, Shahar, Lawless, Sells, & Tondora, 2006; Davydov et al, 2010), and loss and trauma (Bonanno, 2004; Hendrickson et al, 2018), identifying resilience with homeless adults has the potential to contribute to positive health outcomes.…”

“…These comparisons suggest some similarities between homelessness and the resilience experience. Furthermore, the multiple elements emphasize that the phenomenon does not exist in isolation and is linked to other constructs (Hendrickson et al, 2018).…”

“…Much of the literature connecting resilience, homelessness, and health concentrates on young adults or youth and largely neglects adults (Werner & Johnson, 2002), particularly adults living in poverty. Studies involving adults have discussed resilience as it relates to their mental health, grief, or experiences of trauma (e.g., Davydov et al, 2010; Hendrickson et al, 2018; Herrman et al, 2011; Scali et al, 2012). In addition, this phenomenon has been explored in specific adult populations such as patients (Friborg, Hjemdal, Rosenvinge, & Martinussen, 2003) or undergraduate students (Smith et al, 2010).…”