Understanding Widowhood Bereavement and Coping in Venezuelan Older

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to understand the experiences of widowhood bereavement from the perspectives of Venezuelan women (over sixty (60) years of age) with different characteristics. To this end, the research was conducted under a qualitative research methodology of constant comparison analysis and an emergent design was used. Interviews were conducted with five women, between 60 and 93 years of age, residents of Venezuela. Among the most relevant findings, the loss of a partner emerges as an experience that, together with subjective constructions about death and religious beliefs, encompasses emotional, physical, family and economic consequences. The time of mourning and the age of the widows emerges as an important factor in how they live and feel the memory of their partners. Likewise, it was possible to learn about the strategies used by the participants to cope with the loss, highlighting the significance they gave to the emotional support provided by their relatives.