Support Systems Involving Widows, 1974

This study was undertaken to describe the social and psychological characteristics of widows and identify the support systems available to them in an urban setting. A stratified random sample of 1,169 widows of all ages living in the metropolitan Chicago area was interviewed by the staff of the University of Illinois Survey Research Laboratory in 1974. The structured interview schedule consisted primarily of precoded items. In addition to the usual background and demographic items, questions about the following were included: (1) the utilization of government agencies and programs as well as personal and family resources; (2) the individuals who helped in reestablishing the respondent's life as a widow; (3) prior and current financial and living arrangements, and (4) other issues of particular concern to widows.