The personal communities of men experiencing later life widowhood

Abstract

Increasingly men are becoming widowed in later life due in part to a longer life expectancy. Social networks and social support are thought to help buffer the negative consequences of such later life transitions. This paper explores the personal communities of a group of older men experiencing widowhood. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted, September 2013–February 2014, with seven older widowers, 71–89 years of age, in North Staffordshire, UK. Interviews included personal community diagrams to identify the structure of the older men's social relationships. Data analysis comprised thematic analysis of interview transcripts and content analysis of personal community diagrams. Three overarching themes were identified from the interview data: “Personal identity and resilience assist transition,” “Continuity in personal communities provides stability” and “Changes in social relationships and practices facilitate adaptation.” The study identified three types of personal community among the older widowers, comprising different combinations of family, friends and others. The findings illustrate that some older widowers have very restricted personal communities which puts them at greater risk of loneliness and social isolation. The social needs of long‐term carers should be addressed as isolation and loneliness can begin long before the death of a spouse. It is important to consider gender differences and preferences when designing interventions for older people in order to promote engagement, social inclusion and well‐being.

Men and loneliness in the ‘west’: A critical interpretive synthesis

“…Ten found a significantly larger difference in the prevalence of loneliness between single and married men than they did between single and married women (27,28,34,37,38,(51)(52)(53)(54)(55), and two also suggested that single men are lonelier than those in unmarried romantic relationships (51,56). The findings from seven qualitative studies further emphasised the particular importance of romantic relationships to men (40,42,46,(57)(58)(59)(60). As one man stated after the death of his wife, "all that intimacy goes and there is nothing to replace it" (59, p426).…”

“…Collins (60) found that only two of seven males widowers interviewed expressed a desire for a new partner, albeit only one specifically stated they did not desire one. Lastly, Dahlberg et al (67) found that long term widowhood (7+ years) only predicted loneliness in women.…”

“…Firstly, men did seem to consider a romantic partner the first, and primary, person for meaningful social interaction: 'we [men] do not talk like I'd talk with my wife' (46, p1252). Secondly, men's social networks were often found to be limited and dependent on their spouse (42,59,60). For instance, when discussing services aiming to alleviate loneliness, one man stated:…”

“…Nine of the 18 studies in table nine were qualitative studies exploring older men and loneliness (41,42,(58)(59)(60)(75)(76)(77)(78). Most of these acknowledged isolating life events such as widowhood, retirement, a loss of mobility (or other isolating health issue), and/or moving into specialist housing, to be more common with age (42,58,59,(75)(76)(77).…”

“…First, older men prefer services with a constructive goal (60,75,76,78), or, as Collins (60) termed it, services that are 'task-focused'. Secondly, several accounts suggested that older men's lives are viewed from, or placed within, a feminine context (42,60,77), resulting in services that are unsuitable to older men's wants and needs. Indeed, the assumption that the above 'isolating events' induced loneliness was considered part of this feminine context by some (42,58).…”