Experiences of spousal bereavement in aged men living alone

Abstract

Purpose: This phenomenological study was conducted to understand the meaning and essence of the bereavement experience in older men living alone.

Methods: The data were collected from November 2020 to February 2021 through face-to-face in-depth interviews with nine older men who experienced spousal bereavement. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological 7-step method.

Results: Results of this study comprised three categories with eight theme clusters. The three categories were “Facing unprepared death”, “Taking on multiple roles”, and “Surviving as a being”. Participants experienced a negative impact on their daily lives and physical and psychological health since their spousal loss. Participants’ long-lasting health issues included troubles in family relationships, loneliness, controlling sexual desires and preparing meals, but they tended not to seek help due to cultural characteristics because they were reluctant to reveal their feelings and difficulties to others, which can lead to secondary problems.

Conclusion: Social and spiritual support from healthcare professionals is essential for promoting a positive coping and adaptation process after spousal loss. To provide effective nursing interventions, nurses must consider the spouse’s culture when caring for dying people and develop holistic nursing intervention strategies, including communication skills and comprehensive assessment, to explore their unexpressed health problems. Further investigation regarding bereavement experiences in different population groups and building a support system is necessary for the bereaved in the healthcare system. © 2021 Korean Gerontological Nursing Society.