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Sex differences in depression after widowhood. Do men suffer more?
D S van Grootheest1, A T Beekman, M I Broese van Groenou
1Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|September 9, 1999
Summary
Widowhood increases depressive symptoms, particularly in men. Environmental factors mediate this effect, but a direct link remains, suggesting men face higher chronic depression risks post-bereavement.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
Background:
- Investigates sex differences in depression among widowed individuals.
- Addresses conflicting previous research on bereavement and gender.
- Examines the role of environmental strain in widowhood-related depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of widowhood on depressive symptoms in men and women.
- To determine if social support, finances, and housekeeping concerns mediate these effects.
- To understand long-term adaptation to widowhood across genders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a large community-based study in the Netherlands.
- Included 2626 widowed and married subjects aged 55-85.
- Employed the CES-D scale for depression and structured interviews for strain; analyzed using multiple linear regression separately for men and women.
Main Results:
- Widowhood is linked to increased depressive symptoms, with a stronger association in men.
- Environmental strains partially mediate the effect of widowhood on depression differently for men and women.
- A significant direct effect of widowhood on depression persists, especially in the long term.
Conclusions:
- Women appear to adapt more successfully to widowhood over time compared to men.
- Men remaining alone after spousal loss are at higher risk for chronic depression symptoms.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted clinical support for widowed men.