Citation

Benedict A, Zhang X. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1999; 24(1): 29-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v24n01_04

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The process of grieving for the loss of significant persons in one's life, particularly for old persons, is important for the recovery of the survivor. Research data is contradictory concerning gender differences in feelings at the time of loss, length of the recovery period, and the relative completeness of the recovery. For the present study, 393 men and women over the age of 55 were interviewed at senior centers, their homes, and local malls, using a 51-item pretested questionnaire.

Significantly more women remembered themselves as being highly emotional at the time of loss than men did. Also, the recovery period was longer for women than it was for men. However, women and men did not differ in terms of the survivors' evaluation of the completeness of their recovery.

There are great difficulties facing those who administer post-loss therapies. It is suggested that pre-loss therapeutic techniques are needed as well as opportunities for survivors to find meaningful roles in their communities.