Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood
The current study will explore the post-pandemic bereavement window of widowed caregivers who experienced higher degrees of social isolation and the ways in which leisure was used to cope. A phenomenological multi-case study technique was used to explore the “multiple realities” among female caregiv...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ageing and Longevity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/3/4/21 |
| _version_ | 1827574535171342336 |
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| author | Thomas P. Sweeney Jennifer Zorotovich |
| author_facet | Thomas P. Sweeney Jennifer Zorotovich |
| author_sort | Thomas P. Sweeney |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The current study will explore the post-pandemic bereavement window of widowed caregivers who experienced higher degrees of social isolation and the ways in which leisure was used to cope. A phenomenological multi-case study technique was used to explore the “multiple realities” among female caregivers whose social convoys suffered pre-pandemic because of spousal caregiving and were further impacted by COVID-19 mitigation strategies during the pandemic. Initial analyses utilized the two-cycle approach, as defined by Saldana. In the initial cycle, the researchers independently immersed themselves in the raw data gathered during participant interviews and engaged in open coding to discern concepts, patterns, themes, and categories associated with the multiple realities among the widows whose leisure participation was affected due to the strain of spousal caregiving and exacerbated by COVID-19 mitigation strategies. After completing the first cycle, the researchers then moved to the second phase, thematic analysis, which sought to develop a more structured framework by which to understand the data by identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (e.g., themes) within it. A qualitative comparison technique was then employed to deepen our understanding of individuals’ lived experiences. Thematic findings revealed three areas of similarities: Social isolation from caregiving, using leisure to self-focus and explore future possibilities, and core groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:39:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-22b5940061bf495dba0323ec1ff4d4b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-9259 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:39:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ageing and Longevity |
| spelling | doaj.art-22b5940061bf495dba0323ec1ff4d4b82023-12-22T14:16:39ZengMDPI AGJournal of Ageing and Longevity2673-92592023-11-013448349310.3390/jal3040021Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of WidowhoodThomas P. Sweeney0Jennifer Zorotovich1School of Human Ecology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USASchool of Human Ecology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USAThe current study will explore the post-pandemic bereavement window of widowed caregivers who experienced higher degrees of social isolation and the ways in which leisure was used to cope. A phenomenological multi-case study technique was used to explore the “multiple realities” among female caregivers whose social convoys suffered pre-pandemic because of spousal caregiving and were further impacted by COVID-19 mitigation strategies during the pandemic. Initial analyses utilized the two-cycle approach, as defined by Saldana. In the initial cycle, the researchers independently immersed themselves in the raw data gathered during participant interviews and engaged in open coding to discern concepts, patterns, themes, and categories associated with the multiple realities among the widows whose leisure participation was affected due to the strain of spousal caregiving and exacerbated by COVID-19 mitigation strategies. After completing the first cycle, the researchers then moved to the second phase, thematic analysis, which sought to develop a more structured framework by which to understand the data by identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (e.g., themes) within it. A qualitative comparison technique was then employed to deepen our understanding of individuals’ lived experiences. Thematic findings revealed three areas of similarities: Social isolation from caregiving, using leisure to self-focus and explore future possibilities, and core groups.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/3/4/21recreationleisurewidowhoodcopingCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Thomas P. Sweeney Jennifer Zorotovich Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood Journal of Ageing and Longevity recreation leisure widowhood coping COVID-19 |
| title | Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood |
| title_full | Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood |
| title_fullStr | Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood |
| title_short | Examining the Role of Leisure in Navigating Spousal Death: A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study of Widowhood |
| title_sort | examining the role of leisure in navigating spousal death a phenomenological multi case study of widowhood |
| topic | recreation leisure widowhood coping COVID-19 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9259/3/4/21 |
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