Widowhood and Coping Strategies Used by Widows in Kisumu East Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya

Losing a life partner can be an overwhelming and traumatic life event which forces the remaining spouse to cope not only with the painful loss but also with their new widowhood status. This study seeks to establish the coping strategies used by widows in Kisumu East Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya. A mixed method research design was used in the study. The target population consisted of widows in Kisumu East Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya. The sampling technique used was purposive in nature. This technique was used to get a sample of 50 widows in Kisumu East Sub County. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and focus group discussion. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were employed in data analysis, Reliability and validity check of the instruments was done to attest the degree to which items measured the indicators for which they were designed. The findings of the study show that widows in Kisumu East subcounty use both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies to cope with widowhood stress. Adaptive coping strategies used by widows were: counseling, social support networks, engaging in business, church activities, keeping significant memoirs of the deceased while maladaptive coping strategies included denial, sex, withdrawal, and substance use. The study recommends that widows should use adaptive coping strategies to cope with widowhood. Additionally, widows should be given enough platforms, space and support in the society to share their experiences as this enhances their general wellbeing. The study also recommends that widows should be empowered on self-awareness and assertive skills to help in building their self-esteem.