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- Title
Effect of Widowhood on Disability Onset in Elderly Men from Three European Countries.
- Authors
van den Brink, Carolien L.; Tijhuis, Marja; van den Bos, Geertrudis A. M.; Giampaoli, Simona; Kivinen, Paula; Nissinen, Aulikki; Kromhout, Daan
- Abstract
To investigate in different countries the effects of becoming widowed, duration of widowhood, and household composition of widowed men on disability onset in different disability domains. Longitudinal data from a cohort study collected around 1990, 1995, and 2000. Three cohorts from Finland, the Netherlands, and Italy. Seven hundred thirty-six men, aged 70 and older at baseline. Disability was measured using standardized questionnaire on activities of daily living (ADLs). Three domains were assessed: instrumental ADLs (IADLs), mobility, and basic ADLs (BADLs). Duration of widowhood was divided into less than 5 years and 5 or more years and household composition into living alone and living with family or in an institution. Men who became widowed developed more IADL disabilities (odds ratio (OR)=2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.22–3.81) and mobility (OR=1.84; 95% CI=1.15–2.96) than men who were still married. Men who had been widowed for less than 5 years developed more IADL disabilities than those who had been widowed for 5 years or more (OR=2.27; 95% CI=1.14–4.54). Widowed men living alone showed fewer disabilities in mobility (OR=0.25; 95% CI=0.09–0.73) and BADLs (OR=0.02; 95% CI=0.001–0.33) than those living with others. The effects on disability onset did not differ between countries. Widowhood in elderly men is a risk factor for dependency in IADLs and mobility. The growth in the number of widowers may lead to higher demands on family care and professional care.
- Subjects
EUROPE; WIDOWHOOD; OLDER men; PEOPLE with disabilities; DEPENDENCY (Psychology); PSYCHOLOGY
- Publication
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2004, Vol 52, Issue 3, p353
- ISSN
0002-8614
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52105.x