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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2009The HIV/AIDS pandemic threatens economic, social, and environmental sustainability throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring... (Review)
Review
The HIV/AIDS pandemic threatens economic, social, and environmental sustainability throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring interrelationships between HIV/AIDS, labor availability, agricultural productivity, household resources, food consumption, and health status in rural southeastern Uganda. Respondents reported an increase in widow-and-orphan-headed households; labor shortages due to illness and caretaking; degradation of household resources from health-related expenses; loss of land tenure and assets following deaths, especially for widows and orphans; and changes in agricultural practices and productivity. Our study highlights a potential downward spiral of livelihood degradation for vulnerable households and suggests targeted interventions to improve sustainability.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Agriculture; Cost of Illness; Family Characteristics; Health Expenditures; Humans; Ownership; Rural Population; Social Conditions; Uganda
PubMed: 19742210
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6082113 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Mar 2022Accumulating research suggests that stressful life events, especially those that threaten close intimate bonds, are associated with an increased risk of dementia.... (Review)
Review
Spousal caregiving, widowhood, and cognition: A systematic review and a biopsychosocial framework for understanding the relationship between interpersonal losses and dementia risk in older adulthood.
Accumulating research suggests that stressful life events, especially those that threaten close intimate bonds, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Grieving the loss of a spouse, whether in the form of caregiving or after the death, ranks among 'life's most significant stressors', evoking intense psychological and physiological distress. Despite numerous studies reporting elevated dementia risk or poorer cognition among spousal caregivers and widow(er)s compared to controls, no review has summarized findings across cognitive outcomes (i.e., dementia incidence, cognitive impairment rates, cognitive performance) or proposed a theoretical model for understanding the links between partner loss and abnormal cognitive decline. The current systematic review summarizes findings across 64 empirical studies. Overall, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies revealed an adverse association between partner loss and cognitive outcomes. In turn, we propose a biopsychosocial model of cognitive decline that explains how caregiving and bereavement may position some to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. More longitudinal studies that focus on the biopsychosocial context of caregivers and widow(er)s are needed.
Topics: Aged; Caregivers; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Female; Humans; Widowhood
PubMed: 34971701
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.010 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B,... Oct 2022This study examines the association between age at marital loss (i.e., divorce or widowhood) and cognitive function in later life and whether the association differs by...
OBJECTIVES
This study examines the association between age at marital loss (i.e., divorce or widowhood) and cognitive function in later life and whether the association differs by gender.
METHODS
We used mixed-effects models, drawing on longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2016). The analytical samples included adults aged 51 and older who had ever been widowed (N = 5,639 with 25,537 person-waves) or divorced (N = 10,685 with 50,689 person-waves).
RESULTS
We find that those who were widowed at younger ages had lower cognitive function than their counterparts who were widowed at older ages, for both men and women, after controlling for covariates. Household income and health-related factors partially accounted for the positive association between age at widowhood and cognitive function. Those who divorced at younger ages also had lower cognitive function than their counterparts who divorced at older ages, but this association was only present among men, not women. Health-related factors partially accounted for the association between age at divorce and cognitive function among men.
DISCUSSION
Findings highlight the importance of considering the role of timing of marital loss in cognitive health among older adults.
Topics: Aged; Cognition; Divorce; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Male; Marital Status; Marriage; Retirement; Widowhood
PubMed: 35512289
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac069 -
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 -
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 2023Information on the living conditions of widows in Vietnam is limited. Prior studies of gender gaps have identified widows as vulnerable to the risks of poverty. However,...
Information on the living conditions of widows in Vietnam is limited. Prior studies of gender gaps have identified widows as vulnerable to the risks of poverty. However, widows are only included as a sub-group in broader studies of women's well-being. Large gaps remain in the knowledge based on the factors affecting both widows' susceptibility to poverty and the conditions or circumstances that might minimize these risks. This paper attempts to help redress these knowledge gaps by contributing an analysis of data from the 2018 Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys. The paper compares the likelihood of poverty for widowed and other households using probit regression. It also assesses whether widows who head up their households face different risks of poverty from those who live in other households. Finally, the paper examines the effects on the risk of poverty of a range of social, demographic and locational characteristics of widow households in Vietnam. Our results indicate that widowed households have experienced a higher probability of falling into poverty. Moreover, widow-headed households have faced more vulnerability to fresh water and housing, especially among widowed households. Policy implications have emerged based on the findings of this paper.
Topics: Female; Humans; Widowhood; Vietnam; Socioeconomic Factors; Poverty; Family Characteristics
PubMed: 37163566
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285595 -
BMC Health Services Research Jul 2023It is known that caregivers are more likely to be depressed compared to those without caregiving burden. The disappearance of caregiving burden after widowhood may...
BACKGROUND
It is known that caregivers are more likely to be depressed compared to those without caregiving burden. The disappearance of caregiving burden after widowhood may alleviate depression, but at the same time the diminishment of marital resources caused by widowhood may exacerbate depression. So, what effect does widowhood have on depression among caregivers?, which was valuable for promoting the mental health of caregivers in the context of China's aging.
METHODS
China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a longitudinal data, was selected and the effect of widowhood on depression among middle-aged and elderly caregivers was explored by using Ordinary Least Squares and Propensity Score Matching methods based on 2018 CHARLS data. The channels and subgroup difference were also analyzed.
RESULTS
Widowhood significantly increased CES-D scores of caregivers, and there were higher CES-D scores among women, the middle-aged, rural residents, and those with higher levels of education. Widowhood increased depression of caregivers through reducing personal economic resources, and increasing possibilities to live with children and participate in social activities.
CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers who experienced widowhood tend to be depressed and concerted efforts are needed. On the one hand, more social security measures and economic subsidy policy should focus on the middle-aged adults and elderly who experienced widowhood. On the other one hand, it is helpful to relieve depression by providing more social support from society and families to the middle-aged adults and elderly who experienced widowhood.
Topics: Aged; Adult; Middle Aged; Child; Humans; Female; Caregivers; Longitudinal Studies; Widowhood; Aging; Retirement
PubMed: 37400820
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09746-4 -
Psychology Research and Behavior... 2021Without integration of the available information, appropriate suicide preventive actions can be hindered. Therefore, this study attempts to review the Bangladeshi... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Without integration of the available information, appropriate suicide preventive actions can be hindered. Therefore, this study attempts to review the Bangladeshi COVID-19-related suicide studies for the first time.
METHODS
For conducting a systematic review, the PRISMA guideline was adhered. Bangladeshi literatures concerning the COVID-19 pandemic related to either suicide case or suicidal behavior were identified within 1 to 10 April 2021, from the databases like PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, etc. Finally, a total of 9 literatures were included in this review.
RESULTS
Four literatures were cross-sectional studies assessing the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior, and the rest five were retrospective suicide studies concerned with either case study (n=3) or case-series study (n=2). The prevalence of suicidal ideation was identified to be ranging between 5% and 19.0%, whereas the rate increased over time of the pandemic inception. Significant risk factors concerning suicidal behavior included the factors related to (i) socio-demographic variables: female gender, being divorced or widows or widowers or single in marital status, having lower levels of education, being urban residence, belonging to higher socioeconomic class, being unemployed, and having no children, (ii) behavior and health-related variables: lack of physical exercise, cigarette smoking, alcohol consuming, abnormal sleep status, more exposure to social media, and suffering from the higher number of physical health problems; (iii) COVID-19 pandemic-related variables: lower knowledge of COVID-19, lack of preventive COVID-19 behaviors, higher levels of COVID-19 fear, living in highly COVID-19 infected area, higher economic loss due to the pandemic, and experiencing relatives or acquaintances' death by the COVID-19; (iv) psychopathological variables: depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, suicidal thought history, suicide attempt history, and family with a history of suicide.
CONCLUSION
Implementing cost-effective mental health strategies along with social and community awareness for increasing help-seeking behaviors of suicide risky individuals is highly suggested.
PubMed: 34113185
DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S315760 -
Royal Society Open Science Oct 2022Lizards and spiders are natural adversaries, yet little is known of adaptations that lizards might possess for dealing with the venomous defences of spider prey. In the...
Lizards and spiders are natural adversaries, yet little is known of adaptations that lizards might possess for dealing with the venomous defences of spider prey. In the Western USA, two lizard species ( and ) are sympatric with and predate western black widow spiders (). The consequences of black widow spider venom (BWSV) can be severe, and are well understood for mammals but unknown for reptiles. We evaluated potential resistance to BWSV in the lizards that consume black widows, and a potentially susceptible species () known as prey of widows. We investigated BWSV effects on whole-animal performance (sprint) and muscle tissue at two venom doses compared with control injections. Sprint speed was not significantly decreased in or in any treatment, while suffered significant performance reductions in response to BWSV. Furthermore, showed minimal tissue damage and immune response, while and exhibited increased muscle damage and immune system infiltration in response to BWSV. Our data suggest predator-prey relationships between lizards and spiders are complex, possibly leading to physiological and molecular adaptations that allow some lizards to tolerate or overcome the dangerous defences of their arachnid prey.
PubMed: 36277837
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221012 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Jan 2022Spousal bereavement can lead to adverse health outcomes; however, not all widow(er)s experience the same degree of health problems. Thus, it is important to understand...
BACKGROUND
Spousal bereavement can lead to adverse health outcomes; however, not all widow(er)s experience the same degree of health problems. Thus, it is important to understand the contribution of disparities (e.g., childhood maltreatment and subjective social status) that may underlie adverse health outcomes that arise following bereavement.
METHODS
We collected data from 130 spousally bereaved individuals at 3-time points (3 months post-loss, 4 months post-loss, and 6 months post-loss). Using mixed models, we assessed the interaction of childhood maltreatment, subjective social status, and time to predict changes in proinflammatory cytokine production, depressive symptoms, grief symptoms.
RESULTS
We found a significant interaction between childhood maltreatment, subjective social status, and time predicting proinflammatory cytokine production (beta > -0.01, p = 0.048), depressive symptoms (beta = 0.008, p = .010), and grief symptoms (beta = 0.001 p = .001).
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the role of disparities related to childhood maltreatment and subjective social status on adverse health outcomes following spousal bereavement.
Topics: Adverse Childhood Experiences; Bereavement; Cytokines; Depression; Female; Grief; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Male; Social Determinants of Health; Social Status; Spouses; Time Factors
PubMed: 34837775
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105595