A Discourse Analysis of Widow Psychosocial Experiences and Their Self Identity

Widow self-identity is an under-explored topic in Discourse Analysis. Consulted literature shows a concentration on identity and on widowhood, but hardly has any study attempted to relate the two factors adequately within a well-coordinated theoretical framework. The present study addresses this gap through four objectives: to explore the psychosocial experiences of widows in an urban setting; to find out how the experiences influence widow self-identity; to identify how the widow deals with these experiences in her attempt to find her position in society; and to evolve a model for widow identity construction guided by Discourse Analysis, for self and social transformation of widows. This study, in social transformation, working within a socio-constructionist epistemology, and permitting the contributions of the interpretivist approach, proposes a Discourse Analysis of widow psychosocial experiences and widow self-identity. Discourse Analysis, espousing that people construct their social world through language, society, culture and identities is deemed suitable in facilitating a rigorous exploration of widow self-identity. The study, a qualitative research, was conducted in Ngong sub-county, Kajiado, Kenya. With no sampling frame, the study relied on non-probability sampling, specifically the snowball procedure. The study focuses on widow participants below the age of 65 years, to allow a focus on psychosocial experiences related to identity, prior to old age. The study, based on satiation (saturation) principle, reached out to a sample of 42 widows, to whom 20-120 minute interviews were administered. Widow experiences were taped and later transcribed to come up with discourse that was analysed. The data collected was subjected to Discourse Analysis and to Boyatzis, Crabtree and Miller, thematic coding process. The findings from the study show that the widow psychosocial experiences as sought in objective one are socio-cultural, spiritual, economic, death and loss, health, education, human rights, illiteracy, psychological and sexed bodies, in that order of intensity. In relation to objective two, existential as well as role-based widow self-identities are explored. The psychosocial experiences and widow self-identities mutually influence each other. In response to objective three, widows cope with their challenges through being positive, being alone, seeking professional assistance including counselling, re-organising the self, spending time at xiiiwork or in studies, pouring out and deciding to move on. Participants suggest that for the lives of widows to improve, widows need to allow time to heal. In addition, widows should also be focussed, hardworking, patient, principled, responsible, upright and watchful. Also, they should have self-acceptance, self-esteem, self-belief as well as positive relationships with children and in-laws. Widows should avoid being misused and being reliant on others. Finally, they are encouraged to rely on God. In the end, the study suggests that the Government should consider widow economic needs especially fees for the education of their children. To organisations widows appeal for assistance in lobbying. The study suggests that the society needs to be more aware of widow issues, accept them and be open to positively journey with them. In the end, a model for widow identity construction is evolved in response to objective four before giving the theological reflection. The study, therefore, addresses the literature gap where widow psychosocial experiences had not been addressed based on a well-coordinated theoretical framework.