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“Time without you”: Transition to widowhood and its impact on time perspective and attitudes toward the future

Author

Listed:
  • M. Clara de Paula Couto

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Yaeji Kim-Knauss

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Klaus Rothermund

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Helene H. Fung

    (Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Thomas M. Hess

    (North Carolina State University)

  • Frieder R. Lang

    (Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

Widowhood is a significant life event that can profoundly alter an individual’s perception of time. Those who have lost a spouse often find themselves reflecting on past memories, while simultaneously feeling disconnected from the present. However, the impact of widowhood on one’s experience and perception of time has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we investigate changes in time perspective during the transition to widowhood using a multidimensional approach to temporal experience. This perspective enriches the existing literature, which has primarily focused on the predictive role of time perspective by providing new insights into how major life events can reshape an individual’s experience of time. The sample was drawn from seven measurement points between 2009 and 2023 in the Aging-as-Future longitudinal study. It consisted of 1357 participants aged 50 and older who either remained married throughout the study period (n = 1270) or transitioned to widowhood (n = 87). We assessed four facets of time perspective: past-orientation, feelings of obsolescence, concreteness of the future time, and attitudes toward life’s finitude as well as subjective life expectancy. While the transition to widowhood predicted an increase in past-orientation and in feelings of obsolescence, it predicted a decrease in concreteness of the future. Spousal loss did not influence individuals’ attitudes toward finitude, but those experiencing widowhood reported a decrease in their perceived remaining lifetime. Our study showed that widowhood may lead to shifts in time perspective. Findings underscore the value of considering time perspective as a key indicator of an individual’s adjustment and functioning in response to a major life event.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Clara de Paula Couto & Yaeji Kim-Knauss & Klaus Rothermund & Helene H. Fung & Thomas M. Hess & Frieder R. Lang, 2025. "“Time without you”: Transition to widowhood and its impact on time perspective and attitudes toward the future," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:22:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-025-00842-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-025-00842-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yaeji Kim-Knauss & Frieder R Lang & Shevaun Neupert, 2021. "Late-Life Preparedness and Its Correlates: A Behavioral Perspective on Preparation," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(8), pages 1555-1564.
    2. Anne J. Dutt & Hans-Werner Wahl, 2019. "Future time perspective and general self-efficacy mediate the association between awareness of age-related losses and depressive symptoms," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 227-236, June.
    3. Apoorva Jadhav & David Weir, 2018. "Widowhood and Depression in a Cross-National Perspective: Evidence from the United States, Europe, Korea, and China," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(8), pages 143-153.
    4. Deborah Carr & James S. House & Ronald C. Kessler & Randolph M. Nesse & John Sonnega & Camille Wortman, 2000. "Marital Quality and Psychological Adjustment to Widowhood Among Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(4), pages 197-207.
    5. Barbara Schaan, 2013. "Widowhood and Depression Among Older Europeans—The Role of Gender, Caregiving, Marital Quality, and Regional Context," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 68(3), pages 431-442.
    6. Anna E. Kornadt & Peggy Voss & Klaus Rothermund, 2018. "Subjective remaining lifetime and concreteness of the future as differential predictors of preparation for age-related changes," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 67-76, March.
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