IMPACT OF WIDOWHOOD ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF SPOUSES IN ONITSHA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study examined impact of widowhood on quality of life and psychological wellbeing among widows in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Twenty-six (26) widows between the ages 20-70 years were sampled using the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. A cross-sectional survey design was used while the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire and Psychological Wellbeing Scale were used to collect data from the participants. Statistics was MANOVA. Results showed thus: Widowhood did not significantly impact on the quality of life of widows irrespective of their (widows’) biosocial characteristics; and widowhood did not significantly impact on the psychological wellbeing of widows irrespective of their (widows’) biosocial characteristics. More researches are recommended to identify specific factors predisposing widows at risk of poor quality of life and psychological well-being.