Identity Loss and Psychological Crisis in Widowhood: A Re-Evaluation

• Published in: International journal of aging & human development 1988-01, Vol.26 (3), p.225-239
• Main Authors: Thomas, L. Eugene, Digiulio, Robert C., Sheehan, Nancy W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Crises; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Identity; Identity Crisis; Illness and personality; Interview, Psychological; Middle Aged; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self esteem; Single Person - psychology; Widowhood; Widows & widowers
• ISSN: 0091-4150; 1541-3535
• DOI: 10.2190/HJ85-CPV9-0WRU-A8PX

This study seeks to clarify the effect of widowhood on ego identity and psychological functioning. The sample consisted of eighty-three widows, ranging in age from twenty-two to seventy-four, who had been widowed an average of 4.9 years. A majority were found to be Identity Achievers on the Marcia instrument, and the group scored significantly higher on a structured measure of self-esteem (TSCS) in comparison to national norms. A quarter of the sample reported positive change after widowhood, 39 percent reported mixed effects, and only 30 percent reported only negative change. The results are discussed in terms of Erikson's developmental theory, suggesting that intimacy may be a more central issue of widowhood than ego identity. Further, little support is given the pathological sheen often attributed to widowhood. Rather, the data better fit a developmental or growth model of crisis resolution.