Widows struggle more with loneliness after losing partner

Women suffer more with loneliness following the loss of a partner than men, a study has found.

Almost twice as many women said that feelings of loneliness were the hardest thing they faced following a bereavement.

Experts said this was because women valued close one-on-one relationships more than men did, and were also more likely to admit to feeling lonely.

Around 30 per cent of women said loneliness was the most difficult thing they faced after losing a partner, compared with 17 per cent of men. Independent Age, the charity that produced the research, said the findings showed that women struggled with bereavement despite being more able to talk about their feelings with friends and family.

Women said they found talking to friends more helpful than men did, with 53 per cent saying it helped them deal with grief, compared with 35 per cent of men. The study also found that one in five people aged over 65 who have been bereaved for three or more years still feel lonely.

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “The poll shows the stark difference in the way that men and women deal with grief.

“Although women talk more to friends and family about how they’re feeling, they still report greater feelings of loneliness.”

Experts said that women also faced tougher financial difficulties following the loss of a partner.

A study by the pension firm Royal London found that 51 per cent of women experienced a fall in household income following bereavement, compared with 35 per cent of men. Women were also twice as likely to be forced to move home.