Spousally Bereaved Elders With Subsyndromal Depression: A Descriptive Analysis and Comparison With Major Depression

The authors compared the frequency and severity of symptoms in subsyndromal and major depression after spousal bereavement in later life, as well as measures of social support, functional status, and grief intensity. Subsyndromal subjects (n = 25, mean age = 68.1) experienced fewer and less severe depressive symptoms and less functional impairment and anxiety than subjects with major depression (n = 25, mean age = 68.5). In a multivariate discriminant-function analysis (taking into account both symptom frequency and severity), mood, anxiety, early morning awakening, and weight loss correctly identified 92% of subsyndromal subjects and 92% of those with major depression. Further longitudinal study is under way to document the relationship of the current differences in symptomatology and clinical status to clinical outcome.