Relationship Between Widowhood and Psychological Health of Widows in Kisumu East Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the inevitability of death, the loss of a spouse comes with diverse psychological burden ranging from intense anguish, helplessness, deep pain, mourning and anxiety. Worldwide and even in Kenya, widowhood; the loss of a spouse through death is on the rise. The heightened stress that comes with death may be detrimental to psychological wellbeing of the remaining spouse. The objective of the current study is to assess the relationship between widowhood and psychological health of widows in Kisumu East Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya. The sampling technique used was purposive in nature. This enabled the researcher to sample 50 widows in Kisumu East Sub County. The study used mixed method research design, which includes quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaires and scheduled interviews were used to gather information from the respondents. The researcher conducted a one-on-one session with the widows to be able to get further information on their psychological health. The study findings show that widowhood is correlated to psychological health as it leads to poor psychological health of widows. The study recommends that widows should be sensitized on the need to strive for good psychological health either by seeking counseling or joining widows support programs in the community to help them cope with psychological health challenges that comes with the death of a spouse. It is also recommended that counselors and non-governmental organization should aid in establishing widow support networks in Kisumu East Sub County. Through local campaigns, widows should be encouraged to share their experiences and speak with one voice in regard to their psychological health.