2009/01/01 by JK Trivedi, Himanshu Sareen, Mohan Dhyani · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse #Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
paper · doi:10.4103/0973-1229.40648
openalex publication_date 2009/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Despite advances in standard of living of the population, the condition of widows and divorced women remains deplorable in society. The situation is worse in developing nations with their unique social, cultural and economic milieu, which at times ignores the basic human rights of this vulnerable section of society. A gap exists in life expectancies of men and women in both developing and developed nations. This, coupled with greater remarriage rates in men, ensures that the number of widows continues to exceed that of widowers. Moreover, with women becoming more educated, economically independent and aware of their rights, divorce rates are increasing along with associated psychological ramifications. The fact that widowed/divorced women suffer from varying psychological stressors is often ignored. It has been concluded in various studies that such stressors could be harbingers of psychiatric illnesses (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance dependence), and hence should be taken into account by treating physicians, social workers and others who come to the aid of such women. A change in mindset of the society is required before these women get their rightful place, for which a strong will is needed in the minds of the people, and in law-governing bodies.