Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
In the United States, millions of women are widowed, with many returning to the workforce while managing intense grief, identity shifts, and economic uncertainty. Despite this reality, limited research explores the lived experiences of widows who reentered the workplace after the death of a spouse. This qualitative narrative inquiry investigated how widows navigated the complexities of returning to work and how grief shaped their professional identities, coping strategies, and approaches to learning and change. This study examined the stories of 13 widows across diverse professional sectors in the United States. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the research captured how participants moved between experiences of loss and rebuilding, described cognitive challenges commonly referred to as “widow brain,” and redefined their careers and identities in the aftermath of loss. Findings revealed that grief was not a finite experience but an ongoing emotional and physical process that influenced workplace performance, self-perception, and relationships with others. While some participants described personal growth and identity shifts, others remained in “survival mode” due to unsupportive work environments, financial strain, and societal expectations. The study highlighted the need for emotional safety and meaningful support systems and offered insight into the nonlinear nature of coping and adjustment. This research contributed to conversations about adult learning, grief, and professional identity development. It provided practical guidance for human resource professionals and organizational leaders to adopt more compassionate, grief-informed workplace practices. By centering the voices of widows, the study portrayed grief as both a source of struggle and a pathway to renewal.
Date
10-25-2025
Recommended Citation
Hager, Bethany A., "Rebuilding After Loss: Narratives of Widowhood, Professional Identity Reconstruction, and Returning to Work" (2025). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 6911.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/6911
Committee Chair
Oliver Crocco
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Organization Development Commons