P. Martikainen et T. Valkonen, MORTALITY AFTER THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE - RATES AND CAUSES OF DEATH IN A LARGE FINNISH COHORT, American journal of public health, 86(8), 1996, pp. 1087-1093
Objectives. This study examines excess mortality among Finnish persons
after the death of a spouse, by sex, the subject's cause of death, du
ration of bereavement, and age. Methods. The subjects were 1 580 000 m
arried Finnish persons aged 35 through 84 years who were followed up f
rom 1986 through 1991. Results. Excess mortality among the bereaved wa
s high from accidental,violent, and alcohol-related causes (50% to 150
%), moderate for chronic ischemic heart disease and, lung cancer (20%
to 35%), and small for other causes (5% to 15%). Excess mortality was
greater at short (<6 months) rather than long durations of bereavement
and among younger rather than older bereaved persons for most causes
of death; it was also greater among men than women. Conclusions; The r
esults are consistent with the hypothesis that excess mortality after
the death of a spouse is partly caused by stress. The loss of social s
upport or the inability to cope with stress may explain why men suffer
from bereavement more than do women.