Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

depression, widow, widowhood

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology

Abstract

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.)

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