Intent to remarry among Chinese elderly widowers: An Oasis or an Abyss?

Marcus Y L Chiu, Winnie W.N. Ho

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    To investigate the intent to remarry and the predictors for such intent with psychosocial variables, this study used male interviewers to interview 180 Chinese elderly widowers. A structured questionnaire on singlehood and intent to remarry, which developed out of a pilot in-depth focus-group study, was used. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests and logistic regression. The intent to remarry was predicted by younger age, inability to meet sexual needs, and dissatisfaction with widowhood. A total of 40% of these widowers who wanted a partner considered finding one from Mainland China. The sex-related findings were very different from previous studies on Chinese men. They showed that there should be professional support to help them to better adjust to late-life marriage. In addition, the study uncovered the need to expand the scope and enhance the sensitivity of current general practitioners and geriatric services to address issues beyond medical concerns.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)258-266
    Number of pages9
    JournalAmerican Journal of Men's Health
    Volume4
    Issue number3
    Early online date25 Aug 2009
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010

    Scopus Subject Areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

    User-Defined Keywords

    • Chinese
    • elderly widower
    • remarriage

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