Factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers-A systematic review of quantitative research.
Anne Lise Holm, Astrid Karin Berland, Elisabeth Severinsson
PMID 30918710WHAT IT FOUND
Bereaved older adults often reported depression, anxiety, chronic disease and poor health.
Support from children, living with children and perceived family care were linked to better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms.
Key findings
01Eight included studies described emotional health problems such as depression, anxiety and complicated grief. Receiving social support was related to fewer depressive symptoms.
02Six included studies reported multimorbidity or chronic disease as a factor in poor physical health. In an Australian study of 21 recently widowed women, 86% lived with one or more chronic conditions, took an average of four medications per day, and 76% had an exacerbation or new illness leading to hospitalization.
03Support from children, living with children and perceived family support were associated with better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms, but the pattern differed by gender.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 12 quantitative studies were included, and the review used thematic analysis rather than a statistical meta-analysis. Five included studies were cross-sectional and seven were cohort or longitudinal, so the review reports associations rather than cause and effect. Many included studies used old data, self-report questionnaires, small samples, incomplete response rates, unclear designs, or did not report instrument validation. The review included only English peer-reviewed quantitative studies from 2013 to 2017, and no Nordic or African studies were found. Gender and cultural differences were substantial, so results may not apply to all widowed older adults.
Declared interests
The authors state that there is no conflict of interest to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these findings as proof that widowhood causes poor health or that social support prevents depression. Most included studies are cross-sectional or cohort, many used old data and self-report, and the review examined associated factors rather than testing a care intervention.