A qualitative study on loss of a spouse, coping strategies after loss and the future expectations among eldersYaşlılarda eş kaybı, kayıp sonrası başa çıkma stratejileri ve gelecek beklentileri üzerine nitel bir araştırma

With this study, it is aimed to present data about the important effects of losing a spouse among elders, especially to the related areas which provide services for elderly people such as healthcare, nursing and psychological counseling. Three sub-objectives were examined within the scope of the current study, namely, (1) emotional, cognitive, social and physical influences caused by the loss of a spouse in the elderly, (2) coping strategies used by the elders to cope with the loss of a spouse, and (3) the future expectations of elders after loss of a spouse.In the research, phenomenological approach is used from qualitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants (5 males, 5 females) who were were 65 years old or older, have lost their spouses, and were not in the nursing home. The gathered data was analyzed with frequency and categorical analysis.The results of the analysis demonstrated that the loss of a spouse in the elderly can be classified in five main general area namely, “cognitive, emotional, social and physical effects of losing of a spouse”, “methods used to cope with loss of a spouse”, “future expectations of the elders”, “expressions related the loss of a spouse”, and “other expressions”. When the statements on the effects of the losing a spouse were examined, it was seen that “cognitive effects” were the most frequent, and “physical effects” were the least frequent subcategories. Besides, “lifestyle habits” were the most frequent and “receiving psychological support from an expert” was the least frequent subcategories of the second main general category which is called as the coping strategies after loss of a spouse among elders. Lastly, “expectations, plans and objectives” were the oftenest subcategory in the future expectations category of the current study.The findings of the study were discussed in comparison to the relevant information in the field of psychology, and suggestions were provided in the context of guidance and psychological counseling.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetBu çalışma ile yaşlılık döneminde önemli etkileri olan eş kaybı hakkında özellikle yaşlılara sağlık, bakım, psikolojik danışma gibi hizmet veren ilgi gruplarına veri sunulması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında; (1) yaşlılarda eş kaybetmenin yarattığı duygusal, bilişsel, sosyal ve fiziksel etkilerin (2) yaşlıların eş kaybıyla baş etmede kullandıkları stratejilerin ve (3) yaşlıl