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Responses to the death of a spouse vary; although some are at increased risk of poorer physical and mental health outcomes, others have more resilient responses. In light of the limited scope of research on widows’ experiences in Nepal, a setting where widows are often marginalized, we explore themes of resilience in Nepali widows’ lives. Drawing from a larger qualitative study of grief and widowhood, a thematic narrative analysis was performed on narratives from four widows that reflected resilient outcomes. Individual assets and social resources contributed to these widows’ resilient outcomes. Forgetting, acceptance, and moving forward were complemented by confidence and strength. Social support and social participation were key to widows’ resilient outcomes. These four narratives reflect the sociocultural context that shape widows’ resilient outcomes in Nepal. Future studies on the emergent themes from this exploratory study will help identify how best to encourage resilient outcomes among widows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widows are a vulnerable population in Nepal. This study examined Nepalese widows’ experiences of violence, their coping strategies, and barriers faced in seeking help. Study participants were recruited from Women for Human Rights, an NGO in Nepal. A stratified purposive sampling approach was used to select 51 widows and 5 staff members for in-depth interviews. Twenty-seven women who experienced violence were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed and synthesized using a thematic analysis procedure. Widows reported a range of violent experiences perpetrated by family and community members that spanned psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Women dealt with abusive experiences using both adaptive (e.g., attempting to move ahead, seeking social support, using verbal confrontation) and maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., suicidal thoughts or self-medication). However, they faced barriers to seeking help such as insensitivity of the police, perceived discrimination, and general lack of awareness of widows’ problems and needs. Findings highlight the need for interventions across the individual, family, community, and policy levels. Avenues for intervention include creating awareness about widows’ issues and addressing cultural beliefs affecting widows’ lives. Furthermore, efforts should focus on empowering widows, promoting healthy coping, and addressing their individual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-disclosure of significant or emotionally charged information can have psychological and physical health consequences. Widowhood in Nepal is highly stigmatised and therefore is a sensitive topic. This study sought to understand why and to whom women do not disclose their status as widows. Thematic content analysis of 31 in-depth interviews and 6 focus groups was conducted with primarily high-caste widows of reproductive age from the Kathmandu Valley, Surkhet, Chitwan and Kavre districts of Nepal. A codebook was developed based upon recurring concepts and applied to all transcripts using Atlas.ti. Due to discomfort or stigmatisation, many women concealed their status as widows in the community through behaviours impacting their daily lives. Non-disclosure to children was frequently described, often as a way to protect them from psychological sequelae. Concealment of widowhood is a coping strategy Nepali women use to shield themselves against societal stigma and to manage bereavement in their children. Efforts are needed to support widows in dealing with mental health issues related to disclosure and the psychosocial impact on their children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]