Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Widowhood

Chapter Title/Book Title

Widowhood

Book Title

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Editors

Randall Summers, Charles Golden, Lisa Lashley, & Erica Ailes

Files

Link to Full Text

Download Full Text

Document Type

Essay

Abstract/Excerpt/Description

Excerpt

Widowhood is defined as the state or period of being a widow or widower. A widow is a female whose spouse has died, while a widower is a male whose spouse has died. Although both men and women are likely to experience widowhood, research indicates that women are more likely to be widowed than men. Research suggests there are two main reasons why women are more likely to be widowed. First, women in average live longer than men. The second reason consists of the idea that women tend to marry older men. (Now that the USA and many other countries have allowed same-sex marriages, there may be some changes in the current patterns.)

Keywords

age, death, developed countries, developing countries, longevity, older women, spouse, stressful life event, widow, widower, widowhood

Publication Date

2020

Disciplines

Psychology

Comments

This is one in a collection of essays as part of a project that began as an encyclopedia of developmental psychology coordinated by Dr. Randall Summers. However, for unforeseen reasons, the publisher was no longer in a position to publish the encyclopedia. This project was undertaken so that thousands of hours of work by psychologists would not go wasted. Enjoy these essays and feel free to cite them using the proper format.

Submit suggestions for corrections and topics to goldench@nova.edu.

Widowhood
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