Can the internet mitigate the negative effect of widowhood on Quality of Life? A gender analysis

Abstract

Widowhood often reduces the Quality of Life of individuals of advanced ages by negatively affecting their social network ties. Yet conversely, the Internet has also created new opportunities for communication and interaction, thus contributing to improved Quality of Life. This research analyses the role of the Internet in the relationship between widowhood and Quality of Life from a gender perspective. This study focuses on 31,814 individuals aged 65 or over residing in 17 European countries who participated in Wave 6 of SHARE – the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The linear regression analyses highlighted that the role of the Internet in the relationship between widowhood and Quality of Life varies according to gender. More specifically, in Europe, the Quality of Life for widowed women aged 65+ using the Internet is.414 higher (CI=.006 to.0822) than widows who do not use the Internet and married women or women in a de facto relationship whether or not they use the Internet. The results have relevant implications for the development of social policies and suggest a need to develop digital inclusion projects targeting older people, particularly widows, to help promote their Quality of Life.