| Most widowhood research focuses on women greater than 60 years of age. A woman's experience and issues may be quite different when widowhood occurs at a younger age. Spousal death usually commences a dramatic and important change in one's life as compared to how it was before the loss. Literature descriptions of widowhood focus on the physical and mental health, financial security, bereavement issues, and social support. The prominence that these variables manifest for a widow depends on her unique situation, marital history, and life history.;The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of grief from the perspective of survivors about the phenomenon of spousal bereavement. In-depth interviews were initially conducted with five women who were at least one year bereaved. A subsequent phone interview was obtained after preliminary data analysis was completed to seek clarity of/and agreement with the initial interview content. Narrative analysis was conducted using Thematic Analysis and Constant Comparative Method.;The results of this study revealed three major themes: Sudden Disruptive Events, Loss of the Dream, and Redesign of the New Dream; and the following minor themes: In the shadow of death, the widow's lamentations, and expanding consciousness. Three categories were explicated from the data: Patterns of Experiences, Patterns of Reactions and Patterns of Grief Work. The women clearly revealed what it was like to experience the phenomenon of spousal bereavement and gave insight into what was important to them in their effort to survive the sudden and untimely death of a spouse. The findings of the present study were similar to those reported in other published studies. Bereavement increases stress and anxiety and can inhibit otherwise health-promoting behavior, thereby increasing negative health outcomes. Anxiety and stress in the bereaved are typified by decreased cognitive function, decreased problem-solving ability, and inability to relax.;The bereaved survivor - nurse relationship was demonstrated and these women told of what was important to them and was necessary for them as they moved through the stages of bereavement and experienced expanded consciousness. The life-situation that brings a person into the presence of a nurse represents a time in his/her life when the old rules do not work anymore, a time that is a motivator for change. It becomes necessary for the bereaved after the sudden death of a spouse to learn how things work, to discover the new rules, and to move on to a new level of being and understanding.;Other important connections these women revealed was the importance of their faith in God, the support of friends and family, especially the role of their mothers, and the significance of an event that signified a turning point in their journey toward healing. Other significant insights revealed are that loss is only part of the story. They bore witness that although there is something less; there is also something more. They recognized that only truth stands between a broken heart and wholeness. Finally, they described that the goal of survivorship is to find their way, not back, but toward the future. |
