Various physiological, psychological, and social changes accompany the process of aging. Widowhood, a significant life event, can profoundly influence the well-being of older adults. The loss of a spouse often leads to emotional distress, social isolation, and increased health risks. Therefore, the present study tried to explore the gender gap using decomposition analysis to understand the influence of duration of widowhood, psychosocial factors, health-related factors, and health behaviours on cognitive impairment among older widows. This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, focusing on widowed older adults aged 60 and above (N = 7221). We conducted descriptive statistical analysis to understand the characteristics of the samples. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and decomposition analysis were employed. The results suggest that being female likely increased the odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.77, 99% CI = 1.26 – 2.47). The gender gap was mainly attributed to education level (no schooling; 42.64%), along with depressive symptoms, social participation, and functionality. In addition, the presence of everyday discrimination, depressive symptoms (OR = 1.38, 99% CI = 1.13 – 1.69), and low social participation (OR = 1.72, 99% CI = 1.42 – 2.09) increased the odds of cognitive impairment among widowed older adults. The education level was the major factor in the gender gap in cognitive impairment among widowed older adults in India. The results indicate a need for tailored educational programs to promote lifelong learning among widowed older women.
Begam et al. (2026) studied this question.