The newly single widowed older adult African American/Black woman navigating intimacy after a long-term monogamous relationship

It is not known how the newly single widowed older adult African American/Black woman (WOAAW) navigates intimacy after a long-term monogamous relationship, where there is potentially an increased risk of sexually transmitted illnesses. The purpose of this research was to understand the decision-making and planning process involved in navigating new sexual intimacy.

Findings: The basic social psychological problem was a need to redefine self after widowhood. Spiritually guided decision making for intimacy was identified as the core concept or mid-range theory for widowed older African American women (WOAAW) as they relied heavily on God, a higher power, and the church to alleviate feelings of loneliness and loss. Five categories emerged from the widows who were interviewed: a) HIV/STI Matters to Me, b) Relationship Re-ordering, c) Redefining Myself, d) Living Through It, and e) Financial Stability. The basic social psychological problem was solved through intimacy in a sexual and non-sexual context. Intervening conditions that influenced intimacy decision making were: age/experience, Afrocentrism, knowledge, time, spirituality, and gender/role. Seven decision-making strategies associated with spiritually guided decision making for intimacy were: denying, accommodating, avoidance, reliance, reminiscing, planning, and pursuing support.

Conclusion: Spiritually guided decision making for intimacy was identified as the core concept as the WOAAW reported the process of how spirituality was an integral component of decision making after widowhood despite the possibility of HIV/STI exposure. It was identified that the imbalance of spirituality over practical health-promoting behaviors may affect intimacy decision making, predisposing widows to STI/HIV.