A Comparison of Coping Strategies of African American and Caucasian Widows

Abstract

This study, based on in-depth qualitative interviews with three Caucasian widows and four African-American widows, describes and compares the women's selection of coping strategies to deal with problems occurring after the death of their husbands. Results of this investigation suggest more similarities than differences in coping strategies adopted to deal with loneliness, difficulties with children, health issues, loss of task support, and the use of social support networks as a coping mechanism. Although the husbands' death was devastating, personal growth experiences were positive results of the loss. This study also suggests implications for professionals working with both Black and white widows.

African Americans in Bereavement: Grief as a Function of Ethnicity

“…Perhaps because the ties between kinship members tend to be strong and supportive, African Americans of this sample were less likely to turn to professional sources of support following the loss of a loved one. This finding, too, is consistent with past research on healthcare utilization among marginalized groups (e.g., National Center for Health Statistics, 2004;Neighbors & Jackson, 1984;Salahu-Din, 1996). A reluctance to use health services, including mental health services, may be at least partially explained by a cultural bias against services that are perceived to be discriminatory.…”

“…African-American women have in particular been noted for their ability to fulfill whatever role is called for in guiding the family through crisis. Though this coping strategy has been shown to transcend cultural lines-Caucasian women, too, rely on extended social support in times of crisis (Salahu-Din, 1996)-researchers have recognized the unique importance of this network of supportive relationships to the African-American family (e.g., Hines, 1991;Sudarkasa, 1997).…”

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Widowhood for African-American Women

“…This study was limited to a mostly White-American sample. In a qualitative study (Salahu-Din, 1996) comparing the coping strategies of three White and four African-American widows, some differences in coping strategies were found. The African-American widows needed and used more support from family, friends, and fictive kin than the White Americans.…”

Positive outcomes of losing a loved one.

“…Chen (1997) argued that grief has enormous potential to advance spiritual growth as the emotional trauma transcends everyday experiences and awakens or deepens spirituality. Calhoun and Tedeschi (1990) reported that 67% of their sample said their loved ones' deaths had strengthened their religious beliefs, and both African American and White widows interviewed by Salahu-Din (1996) said their spirituality was further developed and refined as a result of their spouse's deaths. Tarockova (1996) argued that life's most painful losses can present an opportunity for personal growth and reviewed the literature on loss from 1973-1995 to support her claim of the positive growth that results from transcending life's losses.…”

“…Most of the bereaved adults interviewed by Calhoun and Tedeschi (1990) said they had developed new skills, done things they had never done before, were thankful that they no longer had to rely so much on other people, felt more mature, and were now better able to face a crisis if one emerged. Salahu-Din's (1996) widows reported increased self-confidence and ability to function independently, which was reflected in traveling alone, returning to college, and being seen as strong by their families and friends.…”