With a novice shooter in mind, I'd say they're two totally different animals. The size, weight and handling characteristics are just too different to be comparable. One is a pocket gun and the other is not nearly as well suited.
I would guess the recoil forces are fairly similar but they're perceived differently in the smaller LCP ... it's described as being "snappy" by most inexperienced shooters.
If your wife is recoil sensitive, consider the LC380 ... I hear it's a real sweet shooter.
