title: Older lesbians and bereavement: experiencing the loss of a partner.
abstract: There is very little research focused on older bereaved lesbians. This study is a response to the lack of knowledge about the issues for older lesbians who lose a partner. We examined bereavement issues for 55 older lesbians. The study asked participants to describe their concerns and experiences after losing a partner. Qualitative analysis identified several themes that ran throughout, including disenfranchised grief, the loneliness of isolation, and the frustration of relentless battles. These findings indicate the need for social workers to educate themselves and others about the particular needs facing this vulnerable group of older women.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work , East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edmundson
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Averett
authors.forename: Intae
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012947:Social Work; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: bereavement; disenfranchised grief; loss of a partner; older lesbians