The unique contribution of key existential factors to the prediction of psychological well-being of older adults following spousal loss.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the unique contribution of key existential factors to the prediction of psychological well-being of older adults following spousal loss.


METHODS
A number of measures to assess psychological well-being, sociodemographic standing, social resources, and religious and spiritual resources were administered to a volunteer sample of widows and widowers to test the hypothesis that existential factors such as personal meaning, religiosity, and spirituality are more potent predictors of psychological well-being than are previously hypothesized variables of sociodemographic, social support, and physical factors.


RESULTS
A hierarchical regression analysis of the data supported the hypothesis that existential factors are major contributors to psychological well-being of older adults following spousal loss. Findings showed that widowers, compared to widows, scored lower on the measure of psychological well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
Implications of the findings are discussed for practitioners working with bereaved spouses; suggestions for further research concerning bereavement and psychological well-being are made.
Fry
P S
PS
Graduate Program in Psychology, Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Fry@Twu.ca
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001601:Bereavement; D004493:Education; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D012106:Research; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*