Trajectories of Spousal Caregiving prior to Widowhood across European Countries

CRIS SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR 2025-2026

TALK WITH ZACHARY VAN WINKLE (Sciences Po - CRIS)

Although pre-widowhood caregiving is consequential for surviving spouses’ wellbeing before and following spousal death, no studies have documented longitudinal pre-widowhood caregiving experiences. 

This study addresses three research questions: 
- What pre-widowhood trajectories of spousal caregiving exist in Europe? 
- How do they differ across countries? 
- How are they associated with surviving spouses’ mental health before and after bereavement? 

Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) are used to create and analyze sequences with information on spousal caregiving for up to 10 years prior to spousal death. Five distinct patterns are found that differ by whether personal care is given to the spouse, whether care is long- or short-term, and whether in-home care is provided. Surviving spouses in Western and Southern Europe are more likely to profit from in-home care, while surviving spouses in Eastern Europe are more likely to provide prolonged personal care.

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