Adaptation of Women After Widowhood in Later Life: A Narrative Analysis with Taiwan as a Case Study

Author: Lin Juanfen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The author employs narrative analysis to study the various subjective and objective factors influencing middle-aged and elderly women's adaptation to life after widowhood. Through in-depth interviews with 15 women in Taiwan who became widowed in later life, the research explores factors such as personality traits, religious beliefs, education level, financial status, health conditions, spousal management, care during spousal illness, cause of spouse's death, handling of funeral arrangements, parent-child relationships, social support networks, cultural beliefs and attitudes, perceptions of the widow role, self-image, and life themes. Based on the findings, the study offers specific recommendations for social services, social work practice, government policy-making, and civic education. The arrival of the 21st century brings more challenges to social work education. Exploring social issues, establishing appropriate welfare structures, pursuing efficient social services, and advocating for social justice all require continuous research by scholars across the three regions. It is hoped that the publication of this series marks an important step toward the localization of social work practice theory!