Psychological Resilience and Social Support as Predictors of the Meaning of Life among a Sample of Widow Women in Light of a Number of Demographic Variables

Ali, Sana Abdel Fattah Ahmed

doi:10.21608/jsrep.2024.344284

Psychological Resilience and Social Support as Predictors of the Meaning of Life among a Sample of Widow Women in Light of a Number of Demographic Variables

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sana Abdel Fattah Ahmed Ali

Assistant Professor of Psychology, College of Human Studies in Dakahlia.

10.21608/jsrep.2024.344284

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the nature of the correlation between the grades of the sample of the study (the widow women) on the scales of: Psychological Resilience, Social Support and Meaning of Life and to identify the differences among the widow women in the meaning of life in reference to the variables of: duration of widowhood (1-5 years/more than 5 years), work (working women - housewives) and children (with children-without children). The study also set to determine the possibility of predicting the meaning of life among the sample of the study (the widow women) by means of their grades on the scales of Social Support and Meaning of Life. The sample of the study consisted of 221 widow women whose ages ranged between 30-50, with an average of 40.20 and a standard deviation of 4.89. The researcher applied the scales of: Psychological Resilience, Social Support and Meaning of Life (prepared by the researcher). The findings of the study showed that there is a statistically significant positive relation among psychological resilience, social support and meaning of life. In addition, there is also a statistically significant positive relation between social support and psychological resilience and between psychological resilience and meaning of life. The findings indicated that the two variables of psychological resilience and social support predicted the meaning of the life among the sample of the study. The findings revealed that there are no statistically significant differences among the widow women (sample of the study) in relation to the variable of duration of widowhood (1-5 years/ more than 5 years) or to the variable of children (with children – without children). However, there are statistically significant differences in relation to the variable of work (working women – housewives) in favour of working women. The findings were interpreted in light of previous studies and researches. The study also provided a number of recommendations and suggestions for future research.

Keywords

References

Al-Abiad, Mohammed Hassan Ali. (2010). "The Scale of Meaning of Life among Youth." Journal of Education, Ain Shams University, (34), (3), 799–820.

Abu Odeh, Sulwa Mohammad, & Al-Mazini, Osama Atiya. (2021). "Effectiveness of Counseling Program for Developing Emotional Stability among Widowed Women." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Islamic University, Gaza.

Abu Mahfouz, Mas'ada Abdul Razzaq, & Hawashin, Mufeed Najib. (2019). "The Relationship between Psychological Resilience Levels among Widowed Women and Quality of Life." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Salt.

Ben Raghdah, Zainab. (2022). "Social Skills among Widowed Women: An Exploratory Study among a Sample of Widowed Women in Tafraout City." The International Scientific Conference: Social Sciences and Their Role in Building Nations and Their Renaissance, Jabal Research Center, 31–54.

Al-Bahadli, Amal Mahdi, & Abbas, Noor Katia. (2022). "Psychological Resilience and Its Relationship with Life Orientation among Widowed Women." Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, Iraqi Association for Educational and Psychological Sciences, (150), 101–124.

Hassan, Walaa. (2009). "Effectiveness of Proposed Counseling Program to Increase Self-Efficacy among Female University Students." Master's Thesis, Islamic University, Gaza.

Hassan, Sameer Mohammad Abdul Rahman. (2020). "Family Support and Its Relationship to the Meaning of Life among Abused Women." Journal of Studies in Social Service and Humanities, Helwan University, (50), (1), 73–110.

Hassan, Wafaa. (2010). "Psychological Security and Feeling of Psychological Loneliness among Palestinian Divorced and Widowed Women and Their Relationship to Some Variables." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Faculty of Education, Islamic University, Gaza.

Hassan, Abeer Mahdi, & Ali, Safaa Hussein. (2016). "Spiritual Resilience among Widows." Heritage Journal, Zian Achour University, (22), 122–143.

Khreisat, Shadia Hani, & Najadat, Ahmed Al-Hindi, & Tashatoush, Rami Abdullah. (2020). "Psychological Security and Its Relationship with Psychological Loneliness among Widowed and Divorced Women." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Yarmouk University.

Al-Khawaldeh, Ibrahim Mohammad Saleh, & Dammra, Jalal Kaid. (2018). "The Impact of Narrative Therapy on Improving Psychological Resilience and Quality of Life among Syrian Refugees in Jordan." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Hashemite University, Zarqa.

Darwish, Zeinab Abdul Mohsen. (2016). "Resilience and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Resilience among Widowed Women in Light of Some Demographic Variables." Scientific Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Tanta University, (29), (3), 1389–1441.

Rabei, Mohammed Shihata. (2011). "Social Psychology." Dar Al-Maseera Publishing and Distribution, Amman, 1st edition.

Al-Zaghabi, Ahmed Mohammed, & Al-Kradyes, Reem Salem. (2013). "Theories of Psychological Counseling." Rashid Library, Saudi Arabia, 1st edition.

Al-Zyadat, Mariam Awad. (2018). "Meaning of Life and Its Relationship to Health-Risk Behaviors among Jordanian University Students." Journal of Educational Sciences Studies, University of Jordan, (45), (2), 311–325.

Zaidan, Essam Mohammed. (2013). "Psychological Resilience – Its Concept, Dimensions, and Measurement: A Factorial Study." Journal of Education, Tanta University, (51), (3), 813–883.

Al-Saras, Asmaa, & Abdel Maqsoud, Amani. (2009). "Social Support Scale and Its Practical Applications." Anglo-Egyptian Library, Cairo.

Al-Skafi, Faten. (2017). "Meaning of Life in Psychology." Journal of Human and Social Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Jil Research Center, (37).

Salim, Abdulaziz Ibrahim. (2020). "Therapeutic Psychology: Theory and Practice." Merna Publishing House, 1st edition.

Samara, Azal Mohammed. (2020). "The Relationship between Social Support and Level of Psychological Resilience and Depression among Parkinson's Patients." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Salt.

Shaheen, Nadia Riyadh, & Al-Sahaar, Khatam Ismail. (2019). "Meaning of Life as a Mediator between Social Support and Post-Traumatic Growth among Martyrs' Widows." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Islamic University, Gaza.

Shqoura, Yahya. (2012). "Psychological Resilience and Its Relationship to Life Satisfaction among Palestinian University Students in Gaza." Master's Thesis, Islamic University, Gaza.

Abdel-Hamid, Zeinab Sayed. (2016). "Social Support and Its Relationship to Life Satisfaction among a Sample of Widows in Aswan Governorate." Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Benha University, (43), 1096–1176.

Ali, Alaa El-Sayed Farouk. (2016). "Improving the Quality of Life of Widows." Journal of Social Service, Egyptian Association for Social Workers, (56), (8), 423–443.

Ali, Ehab Hamed Salem. (2020). "Social Support and Its Relationship to the Meaning of Life among Patients with Chronic Diseases." Journal of Studies in Service and Humanities, Helwan University, (50), (3), 847–888.

Ali, Abdulhalim Raheem. (2016). "Psychological Alienation and Its Relationship to Self-Esteem among Widowed Women." Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, Iraqi Association for Educational and Psychological Sciences, (121), 412–442.

Ali, Abdulsalam. (2005). "Social Support and Its Practical Applications." Anglo-Egyptian Publishers, Cairo, 1st edition.

Ali, Walaa Mohammed Hussein, Mohammed, Saber Farouk, & Heiba, Hossam Ismail. (2018). "Scale of Social Support among a Sample of Widowed Women." Journal of Psychological Counseling, Ain Shams University, (56), 229–255.

Ataf, Mahmoud Abu Ghali. (2011). "Social Support and Its Relationship to the Meaning of Life among Amputee Cases in Gaza Governorates." Master's Thesis, Faculty of Education, Al-Aqsa University, Palestine.

Ghanem, Hassan. (2007). "Psychological Counseling and Theory." Dar Al-Fikr Al-Arabi, Amman, Jordan, 1st edition.

Alfawzan, Mohammed Bin Ahmed. (2013). "Principles of Psychological Growth." Saudi Arabia, Al-Rashid Library, 1st edition.

Laouamen, Habiba, & Taghlit, Salah El-Din. (2017). "From Trauma to Meaning of Life: The Equation of Death and Life between Meaning and Meaninglessness." World of Education, Arab Institute for Scientific Consultation and Human Resource Development, (59), (8), 67–95.

Qasim, Nader Fathi. (2016). "Psychometric Characteristics of the Purpose in Life Scale." Journal of Scientific Research in Education, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Arts, (17), (4).

Magdy, Rola. (2014). "Social Support, Psychological Resilience, and Their Relationship to Future Anxiety among Martyrs' Wives and Widows in Gaza Governorate." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Faculty of Education, Al-Azhar University, Gaza.

Mohammed, Abdel Sattar Mohammed Ibrahim. (2015). "Big Five Personality Traits Predicting Self-Actualization among Widowed Mothers." Egyptian Journal of Psychological Studies, (20), (88), 189–232.

Al-Mansi, Mohammed. (2008). "The Widow and Society." Dar Al-Maseera Publishing and Distribution, Amman, 1st edition.

Al-Muhaddawi, Abdullah Mohammed Bin Hussein. (2012). "Meaning of Life and Social Support and Their Relationship to Some Psychological Disorders among Victims of Traffic Accidents in Saudi Arabia." Arab Studies in Education and Psychology, (31), (1), 93–158.

Natour, Aya Adnan. (2020). "Psychological Resilience and Its Relationship to Anxiety and Depression among Women who Underwent Mastectomy." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Salt.

Najib, Bushra Adel. (2005). "Meaning of Life." Supreme Council of Culture, 1st edition, p. 709.

Al-Halool, Ismail, & Mahisen, Aoun. (2013). "Social Support and Its Relationship to Life Satisfaction and Psychological Resilience among Palestinian Widowed Women." An-Najah University Research Journal (Humanities), (27), (11), 2207–2236.

Youssef, Dalia Abdel Khalek. (2008). "Meaning of Life and Its Relationship to Academic Achievement Motivation and Study Satisfaction among University Students." Unpublished Master's Thesis, Faculty of Education, Zagazig University.

ثانيا : المراجع الأجنبية

(APA) American Psychological Association.(2002). The Road to resilience,750, First Street, NE, Washington DC.

Abu Bakar, A., Jamaluddin , S., Symaco , L., & Darusalam, G.(2010).Resiliency among secondary school students in International Journal of Educational and psychological Assessment,(4), 68.

American Psychological Association.(2010). Concise rules of APA style American Psychological Association.

Bodin P & Wiman BLB. (2004). Resilience and other stability concepts in ecology: notes on their origin, validity and usefulness, ESS Bulletin; 2 (2),PP: 33 – 43.

Boker, S & Biscoconti, T; Bergeman, C (2006). Social Support as a predictor of variability an examination of the adjustment trajectories of recent widows. Psychology and Aging, 21(3),pp: 590-599.

Carr, D & Utz, R.(2003).Late –life Widowhood in the United States: New directions in research and theory Ageing Interrnaional, 27(1),pp65- 88.

Carnelley, KBolger, N Wortman , C & Burke,C.(2006) . the time course of grief reactions to spousal loos: Evidence from a national probability sample . Journal of personality and social psychology, 91(3) pp:476- 492.

Conner, K & Davidson, J.(2003).Development of a new resilience scale :The Conner- Davidson scale ( CD- RISC).Depression and anxiety, 18(2), pp:76- 82.

DeMichele, K. A. (2009). Memories of suffering: exploring the life story narratives of twice-widowed elderly women. Journal of Aging Studies,( 23),pp: 103- 113.

Dictionary ,O.(2008).See Thomas Blount, Glossography: or Adictionary, interpreting all , such hard voids,Whether Hebrew ,Greek, Latin , Spanish, French, Teutonic ,Belgic , Britis or Saxon.

Dubey A & Shahi D (2011). Psychological Immunity and Coping Strategies: A Study on Medical Professionals. Indian Journal of social Science researches; 1-2 (8): 36 - 47.

Gooding, P., Littlewood, D.,Owen, R, Johnson, J & Tarrier , N.( 2019). Psychological Resilience in people Experiencing Schizophrenia and Suicidal Thoughts and behaviors . journal of Mental Health, 28(6), 597- 603.

Grouden, Melissa E, & Jose, Paul .(2014).How do Sources of Meaning in Life Vary According to Demographic Factors ? New Zealand Journal of Psychology , 43 (3), 29- 38 .

Katem,. B (2010)How to achieve resilience as an older widower: turning points or gradual change? Ageing & Society 30,PP : 369-382.

Masten, A, Powell, J & Luthar, s.(2003) .Aresilience framework for research policy, and practice. Resience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities, 1(25), 153.

Liu ,R ., Kleiman ,E.,Nestor ,B .,& Cheek ,S.(2015).The Hopelessness theory of Depression A quarter – century in review Clinical Psychology . Science and Practice , 22(4), 345- 365.

Petra,O.(2003).Meaning in life and Depression A Comparative Study of the Relation between them across the life span Dissertation Abstracts Intemational .64(2B),972.

Reker,G.T (2000)Theoretical ,perspective and Measurement of Existential meaning in G ,T. Reker, & Chamberlain (EDS), Exploring Existential Meaning ; Optimizing Development Across the life span .pp39- 55.

Sarason, I& Sarason, B.(2013) . Social support : Theory, research and applications. Springer Science & Business Media.

Seery MD (2011). Resilience: A Silver Lining to Experiencing Adverse Life Events? , Current Directions in Psychological Science; 20 (6),PP: 390 – 394.

S chwarzer & Schulzu.( 2000). Berlin Social Support Scales(BSSS).VOL(49),NO(1),PP:73- 82.

Steger, M. F., & Kashdan, T. B. (2013). The unbearable lightness of meaning: Well-being and unstable meaning in life. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(2), 103-115.

Tang, wu ; Mei, Ju; Chou ; Shan , Lei Meng ; Fang ,Hou Jing ; Hsyang Wu ming .(2015). Development of Taiwan Collegs Student Sense of life meaning Scale , Universal journal of Educational Research , 3(8),536- 545.

Thoits, p.(2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health Journal of jealth and social behavior, 52(2), pp:145-161.

Togasm, C., Mavrogiogi, F& Alexias, G.(2018). Examining the relationship between coping strategies , perceived social support and mental in psychosocial and environmental problems in Chinical Neuroscience & Mental Health, 1(3).