title: Perceived self-competency among the recently bereaved.
abstract: In this study, the authors identified personal resources, features of the marital relationship, and death circumstances that affected perceived self-competency among recently bereaved older adults. Data came from 328 widowed persons who participated in the "Living After Loss" project. Results suggested that those who had more personal resources--namely, income and good health--were the most competent in daily life tasks. Surprisingly, neither death forewarning nor marital quality improved competency after widowhood. Higher competency was associated with more positive mental health outcomes, suggesting that grief is complicated by the need to enhance and/or restore daily life activities as well as the need to deal with the sadness associated with the loss.
authors: Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Rebecca.utz@utah.edu
authors: Rebecca L
authors: RL
authors: Utz
authors: Dale A
authors: DA
authors: Lund
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Caserta
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Devries
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*