Health and psychosocial complaints of elderly Ijaw widows in Yenagoa, Nigeria.
This study examined some health and psychosocial problems associated with mourning among 72 elderly Ijaw widows. The respondents complained of fever, gastrointestinal disorders and a range of psychosocial problems such as disinheritance, suspicion, frustration, hopelessness and degrading inhuman treatment. Community women/in-laws increased the extent to which elderly widows accepted traditional mourning rites. Care from nurses, good psychosocial support, health and conventional education enhanced the widows' health status and ability to cope with mourning rites. Elderly widows in polygamous marriages experienced better psychosocial support than those in monogamous marriages. Implications for nursing and psychological practices have been highlighted in this study.
Ogungbamila
Bolanle
B
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria. o_bolanle@yahoo.com
Adeyanju
Awoniyi B
AB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011584:Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*