Utz's Theory Of Widowhood

Introduction Widowhood is a phase or situation of a woman who lost her spouse that leads to a big change in identity, roles, responsibilities, social supports and funds. It can result to several negative effects commonly health and mortality, psychological well-being, and social relations. Based on some psychological studies, widowhood may cause manifestation such as depression, anxiety, and feelings resulting from guilt. A study by Rebecca L. Utz from 2002 states that elderly person that is under widowhood spend more time with family and friends but spend lesser time in church visits. According to a Bennett (2008), widowhood is one of the most common stressful happening in later life and one of the most extremely distressing life event

Imagine a guitar with a missing string. It still functions but it’s not as valuable unlike when it was complete. A theory stated that losing a loved one can affect the family’s relation to each other by changing the family system and creating the need for family members to reorganize. In some case, fathers are the ones who pass away. It is hard because that makes the mother alone in supporting the needs of their children. But their grief could lessen or their sorrow could heal quickly as a family if they will help each other by open communication, expressing their thoughts and sentiments, and talk about some adjustments they should do enable for them to cope with their

There are numerous of theories regarding on the stages, phases, and path of the grieving process. According to a study, one of the best stage model was conducted by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in 1969 on the book “On Death and Dying”. She outlined five stages, “shock and denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance” that professionals perceived as the way successful grief is experienced. Loneliness or the sadness felt due to longing for her husband is another common problem that a widow would experience. Based on a theory, “loneliness can be conceived as a social deficiency” because loneliness occurs when a woman’s social relationship is fewer or less satisfying than what she wanted. The theory also indicates that loneliness is an emotionally unpleasant experience. Specifically, loneliness has been associated with feelings of general dissatisfaction, unhappiness, depression, anxiety, emptiness, boredom, restlessness and