B. Van Baarsen et al., Do personal conditions and circumstances surrounding partner loss explain loneliness in newly bereaved older adults?, AGEING SOC, 19, 1999, pp. 441-469
This longitudinal study aims to explain loneliness in newly bereaved older
adults, taking into account personal and circumstantial conditions surround
ing the partner's death. A distinction is made between emotional and social
loneliness. Data were gathered both before and after partner loss. Results
were interpreted within the framework of the Theory of Mental Incongruity.
The findings reveal that being unable to anticipate the partner's death is
related to higher levels of emotional loneliness, Standards of instrumenta
l support, measured indirectly by poor physical condition, lead to stronger
emotional as well as social loneliness. Standards measured directly by imp
ortance attached to support or contacts result in higher emotional loneline
ss but, unexpectedly, in lower social loneliness. Furthermore, difficulties
with establishing personal contacts, caused, for instance, by social anxie
ty, add to loneliness. It is concluded that circumstances related to the pa
rtner's illness may contribute to emotional loneliness after bereavement. M
oreover, the results highlight the importance of taking coping attitudes in
to consideration for a better understanding of how newly bereaved older adu
lts adapt to the loss of a partner.