Interview data collected in 1985–86 from a stratified random sample of widows under the age of fifty-four (n = 150) in Israel were analyzed in an attempt to answer the following question: is adjustment to widowhood a univariate or a multivariate construct? Using four indicators for adjustment to widowhood—functioning in everyday living, depression level, health status, and life satisfaction—factors that may affect adjustment to widowhood are examined. Multiple regressional analysis of the data reveals that the four indicators are associated with different clusters of predictors, and that only two predictors are associated with all four of them: widow's locus of control and present standard of living as compared to prior one.
The results, providing evidence that adjustment to widowhood may be perceived as a multivariate construct and their implications for further research, are discussed.
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