The Impact of Widowhood on Well-Being: Challenges, Coping Mechanisms, and Policy Implications

Widowhood is one of the major life transitions with implications for the psychological, social, and economic well-being of women, especially in India. The research explores the situation of widows in Odisha, focusing on their psychological well-being, as measured by the WHO Well-Being Index, and the coping mechanisms they employ. With a sample of 100 widows, the study finds that 82% face financial instability, while 67% experience anxiety and loneliness. The WHO-5 assessment shows that 31% of respondents suffer from poor mental health, significantly elevating their risk for depression. Active participation in economic and social security schemes, including the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (INGWPS), help improve mental health (P < 0.001). These findings underscore that financial independence and institutional support are crucial for improving quality of life during widowhood. Finally, the present study stresses the necessity of economic empowerment and access to psychiatric treatment, especially for widows in Odisha.