Widowhood Case Study
A quick review of the case study suggests the following central issues: The impact that a chronic illness has on a marital relationship, and the burdens of taking care of the spouse, the initial stages of grief and bereavement after their passing, the transition from having a long term partner, to widowhood, and the likely outcomes that the subject will experience during her transition from married, to widowhood, to single-hood.
Impact of Chronic Illness on Marital Relationships
Chronic illness in anyone family can have many impacts, not only on the person who is ill, but on the family and care givers as well. More importantly, it can affect children and spouses’ emotionally and physically. In Clara’s case, there is a very high possibility that her relationship with her husband experienced a considerable change in relationship and sexual satisfaction. There have been studies done in the past that state, “Although spouses of chronic pain patients showed no more physical symptoms than spouses of diabetics, they reported significantly more pain symptoms that were related to elevated levels of depressed mood.” (Herta Florb, 2002) The depression felt because of her husbands chronic illness, is likely the reason why she pulled away from her family, and friends. She likely did not want them to see her in that state, and wanted them to think that she was strong, and could handle it. However, other parts of the studies have indicated that “not only is chronic pain associated with problems in the marital relationship but heightened distress and physical symptoms in spouses as well.” (Herta Florb, 2002) The effects are not so much the reality of a chronic pain problem, but instead a manner for paitents and spouses to cope with the situation.
Burdens of care giving and the initial stages of grief and bereavement
This leads us to the topic of the burden of caregiving. There is a large impact on ones emotional and physical well being. “Women’s greater focus on the
Impact of Chronic Illness on Marital Relationships
Chronic illness in anyone family can have many impacts, not only on the person who is ill, but on the family and care givers as well. More importantly, it can affect children and spouses’ emotionally and physically. In Clara’s case, there is a very high possibility that her relationship with her husband experienced a considerable change in relationship and sexual satisfaction. There have been studies done in the past that state, “Although spouses of chronic pain patients showed no more physical symptoms than spouses of diabetics, they reported significantly more pain symptoms that were related to elevated levels of depressed mood.” (Herta Florb, 2002) The depression felt because of her husbands chronic illness, is likely the reason why she pulled away from her family, and friends. She likely did not want them to see her in that state, and wanted them to think that she was strong, and could handle it. However, other parts of the studies have indicated that “not only is chronic pain associated with problems in the marital relationship but heightened distress and physical symptoms in spouses as well.” (Herta Florb, 2002) The effects are not so much the reality of a chronic pain problem, but instead a manner for paitents and spouses to cope with the situation.
Burdens of care giving and the initial stages of grief and bereavement
This leads us to the topic of the burden of caregiving. There is a large impact on ones emotional and physical well being. “Women’s greater focus on the
Cited: 1. Balkwell, C. (1981, January). JSTOR. Retrieved 03 01, 2011, from National Council on Family Relations: http://www.jstor.org/pss/584245 2. Connidis, I. A. (2010). Family Ties & Aging. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. 3. Diehm, W. J. (2000). How to Cope with being Widowed. Retrieved Feb 28, 2011, from Seniors site: http://seniors-site.com/widowm/coping.html 4. Herta Florb, a. D. (2002, August 23). ScienceDirect. Retrieved 02 28, 2011, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8V-46KC9DF-9&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F1987&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1675407613&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&