Exploring Lived Realities of Aging in Post- Bereavement Widowhood: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Elderly Widows

Losing one’s spouse in old- age is an age normative phenomenon, yet one of the significant traumatic stimuli especially for women in Indian context. Previous literature suggests that although a lot has been said about bereavement in widowhood, there is a substantial gaping of elderly widow’s perception of adaptation and adjustment to aging after the bereavement (about 2 years) has ended. Keeping this in mind, the research question was: What is the lived experience of ‘aging’ after bereavement of spousal loss in the description of elderly widows? The aim for the research is to ‘elucidate the lived experience of aging in post- bereavement widowhood in the description of elderly widows’. This qualitative study used hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of three elderly widows’ accounts of adjustment to new reality after loss, new perceptions regarding ‘self’ and perspectives of life after bereavement. Semi structured interviews were conducted via online video conferencing platforms due to COVID-19 restrictions which were analyzed using thematic analysis. In total, four broad themes emerged after data analysis: (i) Coming to terms with reality: Adaptation phase, (ii) Perceived self-concept (at present), (iii) Perspectives on aging and (iv) Coping strategies to stay happy amidst negativities. Findings suggested a dire need for elderly care and crucial factors for ‘Successful Aging’. It needs a collective re-thinking of ‘aging and widowhood’ beyond the physical, cognitive, emotional pathologies.