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a Graduate Program in Psychology, Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Correspondence: P. S. Fry, PhD, Graduate Program in Psychology, Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road, Langley, British Columbia, Canada, V2Y 1Y1. E-mail: Fry{at}Twu.ca.
Decision Editor: Laurence G. Branch, PhD
Purpose: This study examined the unique contribution of key existential factors to the prediction of psychological well-being of older adults following spousal loss. Design and Method: A number of measures to assess psychological well-being, sociodemographic standing, social resources, and religious and spiritual resources were administered to a volunteer sample of widows and widowers to test the hypothesis that existential factors such as personal meaning, religiosity, and spirituality are more potent predictors of psychological well-being than are previously hypothesized variables of sociodemographic, social support, and physical factors. Results: A hierarchical regression analysis of the data supported the hypothesis that existential factors are major contributors to psychological well-being of older adults following spousal loss. Findings showed that widowers, compared to widows, scored lower on the measure of psychological well-being. Implications: Implications of the findings are discussed for practitioners working with bereaved spouses; suggestions for further research concerning bereavement and psychological well-being are made.
Key Words: Spousal loss • Psychological well-being • Personal meaning • Religiosity • Spirituality
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