Consequences of Conjugal Bereavement in Adults
Consequences of Conjugal Bereavement in Adults
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.
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.
People over the age of 50 who have lost their spouse within the last three months.