title: Conducting longitudinal research with older widows: Exploring personal communities through multiple methods.
abstract: This article reports on the process of undertaking a longitudinal multiple methods study with older women experiencing the transition of later-life widowhood. Three qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 older widows in North Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Interviews included the use of personal community diagrams to identify the structure of personal communities and Christmas and Christmas cards to further explore social relationships and practices during transition. Examples of cases are given to illustrate the findings derived from the methods employed. The cases demonstrate the diverse and often paradoxical nature of social relationships within similar networks.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Sciences , University of Salford , Salford , Greater Manchester , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Older women; research design; social support; widowhood