title: Older adults' response to the loss of a spouse: the function of spirituality in understanding the grieving process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the role of spirituality in helping older adults grieve the loss of a spouse in the context of a model of group psychotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 82, whose spouses had died in the previous year, were assigned, in groups of six, to a 14-week group therapy intervention facilitated by trained, experienced co-therapist social workers. All sessions were audio recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative analysis of the four therapy groups at beginning, middle and ending sessions yielded salient themes that illustrate associations between spirituality and shifts in self-identity, mourning the loss and social re-engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observed were within process acknowledgement of the role played by spiritual beliefs in mourning the loss of a spouse. Implications for group intervention for older adults grieving the loss of a spouse are discussed.
authors: School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. damianak@uwindsor.ca
authors: Thecla
authors: T
authors: Damianakis
authors: Elsa
authors: E
authors: Marziali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*