Widowhood and Social Participation in Later Life

Abstract

This article is a review and theoretical analysis of widowhood and social participation in later life. Two conceptual models, one focusing on decrements and the other on compensations in social participation, are considered in reviewing the literature. After a brief critique of the methodological characteristics of the research, several different types of social participation are examined. The vast majority of research indicates that, although some decrements in social participation may occur, very few, if any, take place immediately after the death of spouse. In fact, the loss of spouse is more likely to immediately intensify social relationships than attenuate them. Of special interest is the recurrent finding that certain types of social participation are likely to increase a few years after the death of spouse. The results are interpreted as favoring a compensation model of role loss and social participation.