Gender differences in the effects of bereavement-related psychological distress in health outcomes

Background. This study examined whether traumatic grief, depressive and anx iety symptoms formed three distinct factors for widows and widowers. In add ition, we examined whether high symptom levels of traumatic grief, depressi on and anxiety predicted different mental and physical health outcomes for widows and widowers. Method. Ninety-two future widows and 58 future widowers were interviewed at the time of their spouse's hospital admission and then at 6 weeks, 6, 13 a nd 25 month follow-ups. Principal axis factor analyses tested the distincti veness of traumatic grief, depressive and anxiety symptoms, by gender. Repe ated measures ANOVA tested for gender differences and changes over time in mean symptom levels of traumatic grief, depression and anxiety. Linear and logistic regression models estimated the effects of high symptom levels of traumatic grief, depression and anxiety at 6 months on health outcomes at 1 3 and 25 months post-intake by gender. Results. Three distinct symptom clusters (i.e. traumatic grief, depressive and anxiety symptoms) were found to emerge for both widows and widowers. Wi dows had higher mean levels of traumatic grief, depressive and anxiety symp toms. High symptom levels of traumatic grief measured at 6 months predicted a physical health event (e.g. cancer, heart attack) at 25 months post-inta ke for widows. High symptom levels of anxiety measured at 6 months predicte d suicidal ideation at 25 months for widowers. Conclusions. The results suggest that there are gender differences in the l evels of psychological symptoms resulting from bereavement and in their eff ects on subsequent mental and physical health for widows and widowers.