Prospective predictors of positive emotions following spousal loss.
Whereas theoreticians are interested in modeling how bereavement contributes to health, the bulk of research on spousal bereavement is conducted after a loss has occurred. Using prospective longitudinal data, this study examined the extent to which positive emotion following spousal loss varies on the basis of preloss characteristics of the bereaved spouse and the marital relationship prior to loss. Analyses are based on the National Survey of Midlife Development (MIDUS), a 2-wave panel survey of adults in the contiguous United States. Results indicate that compared with continuously married controls, widowed participants experienced a significant decline in positive emotion within 3 years following loss. Conversely, no significant declines in positive emotion were evident among widowed persons with greater preloss trait resilience or greater marital strain. Results provide support for the notion that adjustment to loss may be linked to factors that precede actual loss.
Ong
Anthony D
AD
Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, USA. ado4@cornell.edu
Fuller-Rowell
Thomas E
TE
Bonanno
George A
GA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010551:Personality; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013997:Time Factors; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*