Page 581 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

548 n WIDOWS AnD WIDOWeRS

stress symptoms than the control group formal–informal dichotomy of home-care
(Kang & yoo, 2007). Kowalski and Bondmass helpers, four categories of standby helpers
W–Z (2008) surveyed 173 women (aged 30–91years) emerged (Porter, Ganong, Drew, & Lanes,
who had been widowed less than 5 years. 2004). The women were not passive care
They found “moderate … correlations” (p. 27) recipients; the experience was one of sort-
between the number of self-reported phys- ing, protecting, and mobilizing standbys and
iological grief symptoms and scores on working with them on tasks associated with
the Revised Grief experience Inventory. living alone (Porter, 2005b). Markers of trust
however, values for r were reported rather were discerned relative to nonprofessional
than values for r , so correlations actually providers (Porter & Lasiter, 2004), as were
2
were modest. Compared with women who speculations about actions of professional
had been widowed less than a year, women providers (Porter & Ganong, 2005b) and
in the second year of widowhood reported expectations of home-care nurses (Porter,
fewer physical symptoms of grief. 2005a). Intentions included deciding whether
The first anniversary of the spouse’s a nonprofessional helper could be trusted
death has long been viewed as a stressful (Porter, Lasiter, & Poston, 2005) and taking
time. Correlations among psychological actions to allow providers access to the home
stress, physiological stress, well-being, opti- (Porter, 2007a). A data-based perspective on
mism, and life satisfaction were explored 12 home-care satisfaction was offered (Porter,
and 13 months after bereavement with 47 2008b). The complexity of the home-care
widows 65 years or older (Minton, hertzog, experience was illustrated in a case study
Barron, French, & Reiter-Palmon, 2009). At with one widow (Porter, 2008a). Some expe-
both data points, patterns in rates of phys- riences with personal emergency response
iological and psychological stress varied systems were detailed (Porter, 2003, 2005d),
without clear evidence of an anniversary as were problems with food preparation
reaction. Minton et al. (2009) noted that stress (Porter, 2007c), difficulties with daily activi-
might have peaked prior to the anniversary ties (Porter, 2007b), and incidents with trou-
but that supposition could not be verified. blesome visitors (Porter & Lasiter, 2007). In
The positive correlation between measures of a report on transitions of widows who had
optimism and life satisfaction was consistent lost a standby helper, Porter and Ganong
with prior gerontological research. (2005a) concluded that continuity of care
Drawing on interviews with 16 widows must extend beyond the home-care agency to
about the experience of living alone at home, the community.
Porter (2005c) described sources of satisfac- Three main implications for nursing
tion in daily life and the phenomenon called practice result from the research literature.
savoring satisfactions. The essence of the com- First, nurses should teach clients and families
ponent phenomenon, bowing to no one, was communication skills to promote productive
similar to autonomy, a common concept in dialogue about pre- and post-bereavement
gerontology. Other component phenomena, issues. nurses also should consider that
such as marking the milestones, were new to although widows and widowers have suf-
the literature. Sources of satisfaction varied, fered a loss, the overall impact of bereave-
suggesting that nurses should explore such ment varies with the individual just as it
sources in individualized assessment with varies for each individual over time. nurses
clients. should carefully assess widowed persons for
Porter studied the experience of home stressors, coping strategies, and risk factors
care related to widows, engaging in inter- for complicated bereavement while recogniz-
views over 3 years with 25 widows (aged ing that intentions about continuing one’s life
81–96 years). In contrast to the typical are also basic. Finally, regardless of practice