The Relationship between Sex Role Identity and a Widow's Adjustment to the Loss of a Spouse

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a widow's sex role identity and adjustment to the loss of a spouse. Two hypotheses were set forth: 1) Androgynous widows experience a more positive adjustment than feminine, masculine, or undifferentiated widows, and 2) Undifferentiated widows experience the most difficult adjustment of the four sex role groups. The Bem Sex Role Inventory was used to categorize widows ( N=45) into sex role groups, and the Health Adjustment, Social Adjustment, and Emotional Adjustment scales of the Bell Adjustment Inventory and the Carey Adjustment/Depression Scale for Widows were used to measure adjustment levels. Significant between group differences were found on the Health and Social Adjustment scales ( p<.05), with all sex role group means generally falling in the direction hypothesized. Results of this study suggest a relationship between behavioral flexibility as reflected in sex role identity and loss adjustment.