Psychological Well-Being Among Three Successive Cohorts of Older American Women Who Live Alone

ABSTRACT

This study uses a national probability sample to construct a profile of women in their late 60s, 70s, and 80s who are living alone and to compare correlates of psychological well-being for each age group. Measures include: (1) sociodemographics; (2) health and functioning; (3) social and psychological stressors; and (4) informal and formal supports. Results show that, overall, older women have high levels of psychological well-being. Health problems were common correlates for all three age groups, but other within-group predictors varied. Living alone was inversely related to well-being only for women in their 70s.