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Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen... Sep 2021Originally believed to be an omen for early widowhood, widow's peak, a V-shaped descending extension of the anterior hairline at the center of the forehead is now known... (Review)
Review
Originally believed to be an omen for early widowhood, widow's peak, a V-shaped descending extension of the anterior hairline at the center of the forehead is now known to be a morphogenetic trait. Although in the majority of cases, widow's peak is a normal variant, its presence has also been associated with several genetic syndromes.
Topics: Female; Forehead; Humans; Widowhood
PubMed: 34357692
DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14502 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022The incidence of short marital duration due to the demise of a husband that often exposes young widows to in-laws' exploitation of the asset of the deceased spouses,...
The incidence of short marital duration due to the demise of a husband that often exposes young widows to in-laws' exploitation of the asset of the deceased spouses, without regard for negative health consequences and potential vulnerability to poverty has not been exhaustively investigated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where 16% of adult women are widows. The study examined the coping mechanisms among the young widow (aged ≤ 40) who have experienced short conjugal relationships (≤5 years) and burdensome from in-laws. The research design followed a qualitative approach with the aid of semi-structured in-depth interviews among 13 young widows selected through snowballing and informant-led approaches in the purposively selected communities. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and a thematic approach. The findings, among others, shows the median age of young widow as 29 years. All participants, except one, have faced exploitation from their in-laws over their husbands' assets. All the participants desired to re-marry in order to: have a father figure for their children, have their own children or have more children. There is an absence of government support, but a few have received support from religious organisations. The author proposed attitudinal-change campaigns targeting the in-laws through accessible media and legislature that could challenge the exploitation of widows and unhealthy widowhood rites.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Child; Female; Humans; Marriage; Poverty; Widowhood
PubMed: 36011751
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610117 -
PloS One 2023Whilst the uniqueness of loneliness and social isolation is now recognised for members of the Armed Forces Community, there is currently a lack of evidence examining... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Whilst the uniqueness of loneliness and social isolation is now recognised for members of the Armed Forces Community, there is currently a lack of evidence examining these experiences within the Military Widow/er population. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to search and synthesise the current evidence base exploring experiences of loneliness and social isolation in this community.
METHOD
Six databases were searched; ASSIA; CINAHL; ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global; PsycArticles; Medline; Web of Science. Any article type was included if they focused on UK or international Military Widows and loneliness and social isolation. In the absence of loneliness and social isolation, related aspects were included, for example, social support.
RESULTS
A thematic synthesis was completed on the nine eligible papers, where key findings were coded and generated into four themes; Experiences of Loneliness and Social Isolation, The Uniqueness of the Military, Access to Social Support, and The Importance of Peer Support.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence supports the need for military-specific support services with peers who recognise the individuals' unique experiences of loneliness and social isolation. None of the available evidence focused specifically on social isolation, however this was often prevalent in the results. All of the studies were carried out in the USA and Israel, with none including the views of widowers. Further evidence is required, particularly relating to a UK-context.
Topics: Female; Humans; Loneliness; Widowhood; Military Personnel; Social Isolation; Social Support
PubMed: 38011120
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293182 -
Omega Nov 2022This paper elaborates on relational processes of social support after widowhood in mid-life. It extends knowledge in effective support by examining themes of friendship...
This paper elaborates on relational processes of social support after widowhood in mid-life. It extends knowledge in effective support by examining themes of friendship communication between widows and their friends rather than widows' individual perceptions, and co-construction of support communication. Findings indicate that when social support is constructed between individuals with a focus on the specific relationship, support is highly valued. General support that does not consider the individual or relationship between widow and other is seen as unhelpful. It concludes by suggesting future research on social support take a dyadic approach.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Female; Friends; Humans; Social Support; Spouses; Widowhood
PubMed: 32985346
DOI: 10.1177/0030222820961231 -
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Dec 2019The death of a spouse greatly affects the survivor's emotions and may change one's everyday occupations, especially during recent bereavement. Considering the centrality...
Widow's perception of their marital relationship and its influence on their restoration-oriented everyday occupations in the first six months after the death of the spouse: A thematic analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The death of a spouse greatly affects the survivor's emotions and may change one's everyday occupations, especially during recent bereavement. Considering the centrality of everyday occupations to occupational therapy practice, this research aimed to understand women's restoration-oriented everyday occupations within the first six months after the death of their spouse.
METHODS
This was a qualitative thematic analysis that applied a realistic method and a theoretical approach at the semantic level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the everyday occupations of widows after their husbands' deaths, emphasising those that were restoration-oriented, according to the dual process model of coping with bereavement framework. The analysis was conducted according to the phases expected to be conducted during a thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Fourteen widows with long-term marital relationships participated in this research. Their perceptions concerning their relationships with their spouses were an important aspect that influenced their everyday occupations. Women who qualitatively described their marital relationships in terms of attributes grouped by the researcher as lost and lonely also mentioned difficulty managing previously habitual occupations and changes in the meanings assigned to some of those occupations. These women mobilised unique strategies to address suffering and occupational changes during bereavement. Women who qualitatively described their relationships with attributes grouped by the researcher as free at last felt freedom after their husbands' deaths, which, according to the widows, brought happiness and feelings of peace and enabled them to engage in freely chosen occupations and to broaden their social networks.
CONCLUSION
Everyday occupations and their meanings can considerably change during widowhood. This study contributes to comprehending the uniqueness of responses to loss.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Bereavement; Career Choice; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Life Change Events; Male; Marriage; Middle Aged; Occupations; Perception; Spouses; Thematic Apperception Test; Time Factors; Widowhood
PubMed: 31657033
DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12609 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Mar 2014
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Posthumous Conception; Semen Preservation; United Kingdom; Widowhood
PubMed: 24607480
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.g2025 -
Journal of the International AIDS... 2014The customs of widow cleansing and widow inheritance are practiced in several communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In the Nyanza Province of Kenya, according to...
INTRODUCTION
The customs of widow cleansing and widow inheritance are practiced in several communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In the Nyanza Province of Kenya, according to tradition, Luo widows are expected to engage in sexual intercourse with a "cleanser," without the use of a condom, in order to remove the impurity ascribed to her after her husband's death. Luo couples, including widows, are also expected to engage in sex preceding specific agricultural activities, building homes, funerals, weddings, and other significant cultural and social events. Widows who are inherited for the purpose of fulfilling cultural obligation have a higher prevalence of HIV than those who remain un-inherited or are inherited for the purpose of companionship.
METHODS
As part of a larger descriptive qualitative study to inform study procedures for FEM-PrEP, an HIV prevention pre-exposure prophylaxis clinical trial, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews (SSIs) with widows, 15 SSIs with inheritors, and four focus group discussions with widows in the Bondo and Rarieda districts in Nyanza Province to explore the HIV risk context within widow cleansing and inheritance practices. Thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
The majority of widows reported in the demographic questionnaire being inherited, and most widows in the SSIs described participating in the cleansing ritual. We identified two main themes related to HIV prevention within the context of widow cleansing and inheritance: 1) widows must balance limiting their risk for HIV infection with meeting cultural expectations and ensuring that their livelihood needs are met, and 2) sexual abstinence undermines cultural expectations in widowhood while the use of condoms is deemed inappropriate in fulfilling culturally prescribed sexual rituals, and is often beyond the widow's ability to negotiate.
CONCLUSIONS
Women-controlled HIV prevention methods such as antiretroviral-based oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, vaginal gels, and vaginal rings are needed for HIV-negative widows who engage in sexual rituals related to widowhood.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Culture; Ethnicity; Female; Focus Groups; HIV Infections; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Kenya; Qualitative Research; Widowhood; Women's Health Services; Young Adult
PubMed: 24973041
DOI: 10.7448/IAS.17.1.19010 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Dec 2013
Topics: Adult; Female; History, 21st Century; Humans; London; Male; Posthumous Conception; Semen Preservation; Widowhood
PubMed: 24324217
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f7382 -
Manushi 1994
Topics: Asia; Culture; Developing Countries; Economics; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Family Characteristics; India; Legislation as Topic; Marital Status; Marriage; Ownership; Socioeconomic Factors; Widowhood; Wills; Women's Rights
PubMed: 12289882
DOI: No ID Found -
Social Security Bulletin 2005
Review
Topics: Female; Health Expenditures; Humans; Medicare; Poverty; Widowhood
PubMed: 16295317
DOI: No ID Found