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7 - Psychosocial resources as predictors of resilience and healthy longevity of older widows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2010

By
Prem S. Fry  and
Dominique L. Debats
Edited by
Prem S. Fry  and
Corey L. M. Keyes
Prem S. Fry
Affiliation:
Trinity Western University, British Columbia
Corey L. M. Keyes
Affiliation:
Emory University, Atlanta
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Summary

Abstract

Many factors affect the observed increase of mortality following loss of a spouse. In the research reported in this chapter, we focus on the influence of recently recognized psychosocial resource factors in enhancing the resilience and healthy longevity of older widows. We conducted a 6.5-year longitudinal study of the mortality risk of 385 older widows, who were assessed at baseline on measures of perceived psychosocial resources, health-related self-reports, and psychological traits of challenge and control. A Cox regression analysis of predictor variables was used to examine the mortality risk related to the baseline measures of psychosocial resources and psychological trait measures. Those widows who survived longer were mainly those with higher scores on spiritual resources, and on resources of family stability, social engagement, and commitment to life tasks. In contrast, high scores on control and challenge traits had an unexpected negative effect on longevity. Our findings confirm that psychosocial resource factors have a significant effect on resilience and longevity.

Introduction

A broad range of factors can influence the mortality of women who have become widows. In the research reported in this chapter, we examine the extent to which key psychosocial resources influence the resilience and healthy longevity of older widows.

Widowhood is a common occurrence in the lives of midlife and older women. Almost one half of women over the age of 65 years are widowed (Fields and Casper, 2001). The gerontological literature (e.g.

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New Frontiers in Resilient Aging
Life-Strengths and Well-Being in Late Life
 , pp. 185 - 212
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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