Communication Practices and Advice in Later-Life Widowhood: “We Just Talked about What It Is like to Not Have Your Buddy”

Wilder, Sarah E.

doi:10.1080/10510974.2015.1119171

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Other studies have shown that social networking was a common online activity for older adults [ 17 , 44 ]. Wilder found that widowed older adults could enhance adaptability to widowhood through frequently contacting with family and friends [ 45 ]. Additionally, when the present study’s participants encountered difficulties in using digital media, supports from family and friends further strengthened their connection with their relatives and peers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

Hong

Kong

et al. 2021

BMC Geriatr

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Background With the development of digital media, online activities are increasingly becoming part of the daily life of older adults. Widowed older adults generally would face changes in social interactions and activities due to widowhood; thus, the importance of online participation may be more prominent in this population. However, a detailed evidence on the experiences of online social participation among widowed older adults is relatively sparse. This study aimed to explore widowed older adults’ perceptions regarding online social participation in southwestern China. Methods This study adopted a qualitative approach. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 19 widowed older adults between September–December 2020. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data. Results Two major themes, “benefits” and “barriers” were identified from the original data analysis. Subcategories concerning the theme “benefits” were “benefit perception (convenience, flexible time, supplementation)”, “health promotion”, “emotional comfort”, and “social connection”. Subcategories of “barriers” were “worries: personal economic loss”, “concerns: security of digital device”, “troubles: the diversity of online social participation”, and “difficulties: using digital media”. Conclusions Social participation of widowed older adults in southwestern China has begun to be integrated into the digital world; however, it remains at an early stage with the simple purpose of engagement. The older adults may face many challenges for online social participation. Although there are barriers and challenges in online social participation, widowed older adults can reap its benefits, which can be used as an important measure to facilitate a fulfilling life and successful ageing. There is no doubt that online social participation will become a trend within the foreseeable future. Family, friends and health care professionals should pay more attention to the needs of online social participation in widowed older adults and provide adequate support for them to achieve a meaningful life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

Hong

Kong

et al. 2021

BMC Geriatr

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“…Some athletes in the data reported that they had gotten into coaching or officiating to stay engaged with the sport, and these opportunities could be presented as viable options for athletes as they manage concussion recovery. Wilder (2016) observed that people could enact supportive communication by listening and responding with empathy to those who are grieving. This recommendation represents arguably one of the most salient points athletes shared in their narratives—that people did not understand what they were going through and expressed skepticism about their symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Social Isolation to Becoming an Advocate: Exploring Athletes’ Grief Discourse About Lived Concussion Experiences in Online Forums

Cassilo

Sanderson

2018

Communication & Sport

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Athletes who sustain concussions endure a variety of physical, mental, emotional, and social isolation effects as they rehabilitate. Accordingly, concussion recovery can induce grieving processes as athletes navigate the loss of athletic participation, social networks, and daily routine disruption. This research sought to gain a richer understanding of athletes’ lived experiences with concussions through grief discourse shared in online narratives. Through an analysis of athletes’ experiences shared via 58 blog posts on three concussion websites, the data reveal how athletes frame the losses that concussions bring into their lives, the subsequent feelings and expressions that result, along with how they eventually cope. The information disclosed in these online spaces can benefit parents, friends, coaches, and others to better understand concussion recovery, thereby enhancing their supportive communication and behaviors towards athletes as they rehabilitate from concussions.

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“…The life satisfaction of unmarried or widowed people is lower than that of people with partners ( Frasquilho et al, 2017 ), and people with low life satisfaction are often more prone to depression ( Mei et al, 2021 ). Participating in social networks ( Suanet and Antonucci, 2017 ; Cheng et al, 2022 ) such as keeping in touch with friends and maintaining an active lifestyle, often helps elders to regain life satisfaction ( Wilder, 2016 ). The financial support and life care of children can significantly improve the life satisfaction of the elderly ( Cui et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the impact of social support on the life satisfaction of widowed and non-widowed elders

Hua

Chen

2022

Front. Psychol.

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AimTo compare differences in life satisfaction between widowed and non-widowed elders based on social support.MethodsA total of 4,560 widowed and 3,655 non-widowed elders were selected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS-2018). Ordinal logistic regression models and t-tests were performed using SPSS v20.ResultsBoth widowed and non-widowed elders had high levels of life satisfaction. Personal characteristics had a significant impact on the life satisfaction of both widowed and non-widowed elders. Endowment insurance, social trust, residence, self-rated health, and living with family had a significant impact on the life satisfaction of widowed elders (p < 0.001), while endowment insurance, government subsidy, and self-rated health significantly impacted non-widowed elders (p < 0.001). Self-rated health had the greatest impact on the life satisfaction of widowed and non-widowed elders (OR = 4.62/4.45), followed by endowment insurance (OR = 1.24/1.32).ConclusionSocial support can significantly improve life satisfaction, but its impact is heterogeneous. Informal social support plays a greater role in improving the life satisfaction of widowed elders, but formal social support plays a greater role in the life satisfaction of non-widowed elders.

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Communication Practices and Advice in Later-Life Widowhood: “We Just Talked about What It Is like to Not Have Your Buddy”

Cited by 8 publications

References 22 publications

Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

Benefits and barriers: a qualitative study on online social participation among widowed older adults in Southwest China

From Social Isolation to Becoming an Advocate: Exploring Athletes’ Grief Discourse About Lived Concussion Experiences in Online Forums

Comparing the impact of social support on the life satisfaction of widowed and non-widowed elders

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