Consequences of Conjugal Bereavement in Adults

Conjugal Bereavement in Older Adults: Biological, Functional, and Psychological Consequences

Bereavement refers to the expected reactions and sadness associated with the loss of a loved one. It has been reported that the loss of a spouse is rated as the major life stressor among survivors of varying ages and diverse cultural backgrounds. Statistics have shown that in the United States over 800,000 men and women lose a spouse each year.

A wide range of symptoms has been associated with bereavement including; depressed mood, tearfulness, sleep disturbances, and irrational behavior. Previous studies have shown that up to 50% of bereaved individuals can develop major depression. Bereavement has also been associated with dysfunction of the immune system. As a result, bereaved adults are more vulnerable to infection. However, the exact relationship between bereavement and immunity is uncertain.

Researchers firmly believe that a relationship does exist between stress, more specifically bereavement, immunity, and the increased chance of dying following the loss of a long-term spouse.

The objective of this study is to find possible links between bereavement, depression, and the immune system. This study will follow a group of elderly bereaved spouses and a group of elderly people who have not lost a long-term spouse. The group of bereaved individuals will be followed for approximately 13 months after the loss of their spouse and the group of controls will be followed for 13 months after entering the study. Researchers will make note of any clinical, biological, and immunological changes in any participants of the study.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Sleep Disorder; Mental Disorder; Bereavement; Immunologic Disease

Detailed Description

It is estimated that over 800,000 men and women become bereaved each year in the United States (LaRue et al, 1985). While the near certainty of such bereavement is predictable in one spouse or the other, the exact impact and duration of bereavement is much less predictable (Stroebe et al, 1995). It has been reported that the loss of a spouse is rated as the major life stressor among survivors of varying ages and diverse cultural backgrounds (Holmes and Rahe, 1967). As one copes with the loss of a loved one, expected reactions include sadness, tearfulness, and even depression (DeLeon, 1994; Pasternak, 1996). Other complications can include work-related difficulties, sleep disturbances, irrational behaviors, and immunologic dysfunction (Zisook, 1994; Prigerson, et al, 1995). All of these symptoms are common; yet, the underlying biology and relationship with the time course of bereavement are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study will be to prospectively follow a cohort of elderly bereaved spouses and controls from multiple clinical and biological perspectives over thirteen months after the loss of a spouse.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment: 210

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

People over the age of 50 who have lost their spouse within the last three months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Glaser R, Gravenstein S, Malarkey WB, Sheridan J. Chronic stress alters the immune response to influenza virus vaccine in older adults. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Apr 2;93(7):3043-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.7.3043.
• Reynolds CF 3rd, Frank E, Perel JM, Mazumdar S, Kupfer DJ. Maintenance therapies for late-life recurrent major depression: research and review circa 1995. Int Psychogeriatr. 1995;7 Suppl:27-39. doi: 10.1017/s104161029500233x.
• Steffens DC, Plassman BL, Helms MJ, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Saunders AM, Breitner JC. A twin study of late-onset depression and apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Biol Psychiatry. 1997 Apr 15;41(8):851-6. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(96)00247-8.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 1997
• Study Completion: May 1, 2002

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 3, 1999
• First Posted (Estimate): November 4, 1999

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): March 4, 2008
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2008
• Last Verified: May 1, 2002

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Suicide; Sleep Disorders; Immune Function; Occupational Performance; Bereavement; Activity of Daily Living; Mood Changes
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Mood Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Depressive Disorder; Disease; Sleep Wake Disorders; Mental Disorders; Parasomnias; Immune System Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 970157; 97-M-0157