Effect of Widowhood on Disability Onset in Elderly Men from Three European Countries

Objectives: To investigate in different countries the effects of becoming widowed, duration of widowhood, and household composition of widowed men on disability onset in different disability domains. Design: Longitudinal data from a cohort study collected around 1990, 1995, and 2000. Setting: Three cohorts from Finland, the Netherlands, and Italy. Participants: Seven hundred thirty‐six men, aged 70 and older at baseline. Measurements: Disability was measured using standardized questionnaire on activities of daily living (ADLs). Three domains were assessed: instrumental ADLs (IADLs), mobility, and basic ADLs (BADLs). Duration of widowhood was divided into less than 5 years and 5 or more years and household composition into living alone and living with family or in an institution. Results: Men who became widowed developed more IADL disabilities (odds ratio (OR)=2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.22–3.81) and mobility (OR=1.84; 95% CI=1.15–2.96) than men who were still married. Men who had been widowed for less than 5 years developed more IADL disabilities than those who had been widowed for 5 years or more (OR=2.27; 95% CI=1.14–4.54). Widowed men living alone showed fewer disabilities in mobility (OR=0.25; 95% CI=0.09–0.73) and BADLs (OR=0.02; 95% CI=0.001–0.33) than those living with others. The effects on disability onset did not differ between countries. Conclusion: Widowhood in elderly men is a risk factor for dependency in IADLs and mobility. The growth in the number of widowers may lead to higher demands on family care and professional care.