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The effect of unexpected bereavement on mortality in older couples

Author

Listed:
  • Shah, S.M.
  • Carey, I.M.
  • Harris, T.
  • DeWilde, S.
  • Victor, C.R.
  • Cook, D.G.

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to determine whether unexpected bereavement has a greater impact on mortality in the surviving partner than death of a partner with preexisting chronic disease or disability. Methods. In a UK primary care database (The Health Improvement Network), we identified 171 720 couples aged 60 years and older. We compared the rise in mortality in the first year after bereavement in those whose partner died without recorded chronic disease (unexpected bereavement) to those whose deceased partner had a diagnosis of chronic disease (known morbidity). Results. For unexpected bereavement (13.4% of all bereavements), the adjusted hazard ratio for death in the first year after bereavement was 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39, 1.86) compared with 1.21 (95% CI = 1.14, 1.30) where the partner had known morbidity. Differences between bereaved groups were significant (P = .001) and present for both men and women. Conclusions. Unexpected bereavement has a greater relative mortality impact than bereavement preceded by chronic disease. Our findings highlight the potential value of preparing individuals for the death of a spouse with known morbidity and providing extra support after bereavement for those experiencing sudden unexpected bereavement.

Suggested Citation

  • Shah, S.M. & Carey, I.M. & Harris, T. & DeWilde, S. & Victor, C.R. & Cook, D.G., 2013. "The effect of unexpected bereavement on mortality in older couples," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(6), pages 1140-1145.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301050_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301050
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara L Tamers & Cassandra Okechukwu & Alex A Bohl & Alice Guéguen & Marcel Goldberg & Marie Zins, 2014. "The Impact of Stressful Life Events on Excessive Alcohol Consumption in the French Population: Findings from the GAZEL Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, January.
    2. Lauren Drabwell & Jessica Eng & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Alexandra Pitman, 2020. "Perceptions of the Use of Alcohol and Drugs after Sudden Bereavement by Unnatural Causes: Analysis of Online Qualitative Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Anne Lise Holm & Elisabeth Severinsson & Astrid Karin Berland, 2019. "The Meaning of Bereavement Following Spousal Loss: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Older Adults," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(4), pages 21582440198, December.

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