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September 12, 2023

Research Snapshot: Spousal Bereavement and Adjustment Among Older Chinese Immigrants

A summary of a study on bereavement among immigrant families

September 12, 2023

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Spousal bereavement, or grief when a spouse dies, is a stressful event. For older adults, especially older immigrants, spousal bereavement can be made more intense by factors such as migratory stress or social isolation. There are studies of the effects of spousal bereavement and widowhood on adults, but there is little research on the effects of spousal bereavement on older immigrants.

This research builds on our growing understanding of the Family Identity component of the Vanier Institute’s Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework.

Wang, Q., Walsh, C. A., & Tong, H. (2023). The lived experiences of spousal bereavement and adjustment among older Chinese immigrants in Calgary. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 38, 137-154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-023-09477-3