The Widower-to-Widower Program has helped many men feel less alone after loss. Now, we’re conducting a research study to better understand its impact and enhance support for grieving men nationwide.
Contribute to Research That Benefits Widowers Nationwide
Advancing Support for Widowers
The National Widowers’ Organization is conducting a two-year research project to better understand and support widowers—and we need your help.
Drs. Kathleen R. Gilbert and Sherry Schachter, both members of our Board, are leading this effort through a two-phase study. Their affiliations with Indiana University and Calvary Hospital/Hospice (NY), along with decades of bereavement experience, position them to lead this important work.
What the Study Will Do
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of our Widower-to-Widower Peer Support Program by interviewing participating men. The goal is to identify what works, what doesn’t and how we can strengthen the support we offer.
Widowers face unique challenges, yet little research has focused specifically on their experiences. This project is designed to change that.
Why This Matters
Society often expects men to “move on” quickly after a loss. But that perception is not only misguided—it’s harmful. Widowers need support, understanding and resources tailored to their unique needs. This research is designed to provide exactly that.
Drs. Kathleen R. Gilbert and Sherry Schachter, leaders of this study and longtime members of our Board, explain why it’s so important to better understand widowers and their experiences:
❝“I’m reminded of a conference session I attended where the speaker was talking about her program to serve widows and when she brought up widowers, the gist of her message was ‘we don’t need to worry about the men. They’ll take care of themselves. They’ll find a wife in no time flat.’ She was not kidding about how this perception was presented.❞
— Dr. Kathleen R. Gilbert
❝I echo Kathy’s comments and in my 40 plus years of experience in doing this work, I have always been struck by the lack of research (qualitative or quantitative) related to widowers. Most bereavement researchers have focused on Caucasian widows. Anecdotally, I know that there are differences – and now this research opportunity will hopefully provide us with foundational information to continue studying this underserved population. It will provide a timeline for the National Widowers’ Organization to move forward, and can create future research projects. We will be able to strengthen and fulfill our mission statement and offer innovative ways to further help bereaved spouses/partners.❞
— Dr. Sherry Schachter
Help us strengthen grief support for widowers — your donation funds vital research
How You Can Help
We reach a large audience through our website (nationalwidowers.org) and believe we are the leading source of information for widowers. With your help, we can continue this leadership through a new $60,000 research project.
Our normal operating costs for the next year are already covered. That means 100% of your donation goes directly to this project, supporting vital research that reduces the suffering widowers face.
Donating doesn’t just help others; it benefits you too. Because we’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your gift is fully tax-deductible. And since our overhead is fully funded, every dollar you give supports real impact.
