Widow and Bereaved Mother Relations After Loss of Husband or Son: A Double Perspective

Objective: To explore the perception of the relationships between widows and bereaved mothers after the loss of their husband or son from a double perspective. Background: Despite the centrality of the husband and son in making the connection between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, there are almost no studies on the implications of the absence of the husband and son, after he is deceased, on this relationship. Method: Twenty semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 widows and 10 bereaved mothers who were recruited by convenience sample. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings indicate complex relationships between widows and bereaved mothers. Some factors, such as a history of good relations, helped bolster the relationship, but others such as guilt, blaming, and obstructing actors, thwarted it. Conclusion: The complexity of the relationship between widows and bereaved mothers after loss points to the importance of assessing their relationship close to the loss, as well as of direct intervention in the relationship, to prevent the development and escalation of conflicts between the women. Implications: Systemic professional intervention is suggested as a means for improving relations between widows and bereaved mothers.