INFORMATION RECEIVED FOR DECISIONS MADE BY WIDOWS

widows was investigated in this study. In a period from two to four years after being widowed, women in this sample reported con sidering from one to nine decision situations, with a mean of 5. Help for these decision situations was received by 74% of the respondents, with the majority saying they received help for estate settlement, car purchases, and car repairs. While the research showed that a fairly large number of decision situations are presented in the lives of widows, help was not received by 26% of the respondents. The most frequently used helper was the widow's child. The most common type of help was advice, followed by doing the work. Further study is needed to supplement explora tions made here, but these results do point to the need for resear chers and practitioners to be alert to the likelihood of decision situations arising in the lives of widows and for the opportunity to receive help in making the decisions. Widowhood is a state experienced by many women. Upon the death of her husband, a widow can be asked to make many decisions. Some of the decisions a widow makes will have long-term effects for her, and some decisions, such as deciding to sell her home are irrevocable. If decision-making coincides with grief experiences, her personal resour ces and skills may be low. As a result, it could be expected that the widow would turn to others for assistance in decision-making situations. Although widowhood affects many women and is normally a long term status for women, we know very little about the decision