Quality of life and widowhood: a cross-sectional study of social security scheme beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION

After losing a spouse, a woman experiences diverse changes in her life, and varying cultural settings add to them. Research has shown the impact of widowhood on one's quality of life. This study evaluated the quality of life and its predictors of widows of Jodhpur enrolled in Ekal Nari Samman Pension Yojna, a state-sponsored pension scheme for widowed, divorced, or abandoned women from an economically weaker section of Rajasthan.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 widows aged 18-45 from Jodhpur City. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data after obtaining informed written consent. The CDC HRQOL-14 questionnaire was used to collect data on quality of life. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study findings revealed that the number of children, chronic illness, depression, and anxiety were consistently significant predictors of quality of life among widows in Jodhpur.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the association of physical and psychological health with the quality of life of widows. There is a critical need to integrate mental health services and chronic illness management into widows' welfare programs to ensure comprehensive support.