The first year is the worst for widows. During this time of transition, many widows suffer a major drop in mental and physical health, according to recent research. Fortunately, most of these women eventually bounce back.
"Our data indicates that becoming a widow has a negative impact on mental health," writes lead researcher Sara Wilcox from the University of South Carolina. Widows were "more impaired than married women on measures of social functioning, depressed mood and overall mental health,"
Recent widows had a significantly higher rate of depression and poor mental health. They were more likely to be smokers and have a sedentary lifestyle. However, married women did drink more alcohol than widows.
After three years, the mental health of widows did improve. They were more positive and socially active. Wilcox suggests the improvement may stem from no longer caring for an ill spouse, or the development of positive coping strategies.
Wilcox examined the physical and mental health of 72,247 married and widowed women then reexamined them three years later. The study appeared in the September issue of the American Psychological Association's Health Psychology.
