本研究之主要目的在檢視喪偶事件對於老人健康的影響，及其影響程度是否因喪偶時間長短而有差異。本研究採用縱貫性世代研究法；測量工具為中文版多元功能評估問卷(CMFAQ)；共有511社區老人成功完成三個時間點之訪問。比較喪偶組與非喪偶組發現，其在簡式精神量表評分、自覺精神健康及孤單程度三項功能指標，兩組在喪偶一年內呈現統計顯著差異；然除孤單程度外，兩組在喪偶後第三年並無顯著差異。另，僅針對喪偶一組之功能變化進行探討，結果發現喪偶者在喪偶一年內，其自覺身體健康狀況變差且覺得較孤單；但在喪偶後第三年該效應並無統計顯著差異。本 研究發現喪偶事件的確影響社區老人之身體、心理以及社會功能；且此影響程度隨時間而遞減。故建議對於剛喪偶者，建立相關之社會心理支持系統，以協助減少該事件對喪偶者身心之影響。

　　　　　The major purpose of this study is to examine the effect of widowhood on health status of the community elderly; furthermore, to explore the time effect on health status of the widowed group. A panel cohort study was conducted; the measurement instrument was the Chinese-version Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (CMFAQ). In total, 511 community elderly were interviewed through three time periods (1994, 1995, 1997). The results indicated that the widowed and non-widowed groups were stat istically different in the score of Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule (SPES), perceived mental health status, and the degree of loneliness at 1995. However, the found significant differences between the two groups were declined from 1995 to 1997, except the degree of loneliness. Focusing on the widowed group only, the widowed elderly perceived worse physical health status and felt lonely more often within the first year of widowhood 1996; however, such findings were not found at 1997. In conclusion, the findings indicate the significant effects of widowhood on physical, mental, and social functioning of the community elderly. However, the effects of widowhood were decreased with the time. The present study suggests more psychosocial supportive programs should be developed to minimize the effect of widowhood on the community elderly.