Psychological functioning of recently bereaved middle-aged women: The first 13 months

This study examined the natural course of psychological functioning in rece ntly bereaved middle-aged women. 69 widows were assessed four times (T-1-T- 4) between the period of 3 to 13 mo, after the loss and were compared to a matched nonwidowed group of 57. Of the SCL-90 feelings of depression, agora phobic behavior, anxiety, hostility, somatization, feelings of insufficienc y, and sleep disorders were heightened at 4 mo. after bereavement compared to the norm group. Significantly higher psychological dysfunctioning was fo und on all SCL-90 subscales than for non-widows. Over time, a decrease in p sychological dysfunction was found for most widows: however, not every wido w appeared to recover psychologically, and 17% of the widows showed severe psychological dysfunctioning at 13 mo. postbereavement (T-4). With respect to the predictive value of the Total score on the SCL-90, at 13 mo., 27% of these widows had scores indicating severe psychological dysfunctioning; th ese were comparable to their scares at 4 mo. postbereavement.