Characteristic depressive symptoms of bereaved elders

Profiles of 21 self-reported depression symptoms from 196 recently bereaved elders (mean age = 67.70 years) were compared with those of 145 comparison control participants (mean age = 70.01). Responses from bereaved individuals were recorded approximately 2 months following the loss of their spouse. Comparison participants were married or, if single, had not lost a spouse to death or divorce in the previous 5 years. Results were consistent with the literature concerning normative bereavement reactions; that is, although bereaved people reported several features associated with depression, the likelihood of self-deprecatory cognitions was no greater among them than among control participants. Bereaved individuals were significantly more likely to report heightened dysphoria, dissatisfaction, and somatic disturbances typical of depression, even when variations in age, sex, number of years married, and educational and occupational status were taken into account. Differentiation of bereaved/control participants on some dysphoric features was dependent on the number of years married.