Conjugal loss and older Latino men

Abstract

Losing a spouse can be a profound experience for Latino men and few efforts have been conducted to understand widowhood while considering culture. This study explored the bereavement experiences and coping of 15 older Latino men that have lost their wives in the last 2 years. The study examined their bereavement experience in the context of their Latino culture. A qualitative interview guide approach was utilized using researcher-developed open-ended questions to explore patterns and themes regarding their grief experience and their subsequent coping. The results indicated that cultural values such as religious rituals and honoring her memory through artifacts and music were vital to help these men facilitate their coping. As expected, family support and the companionship of compadres helped these men face life following their loss. These findings indicate a need to develop bereavement support services specifically for Latino males in order to help them with life readjustment following the loss of a spouse.