Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Differences in protective resources and risks for depressive symptoms among recent widows in the United States and
Shekhar Chauhan1, Dawn Carr2, Miles Taylor3
1Claude Pepper Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States.
Abstract:
Widowhood is among the most consequential stressful events for mental health. Although certain resources have been identified as protective of mental health following widowhood, these findings are based on US samples. This study uses novel harmonized data to evaluate differences in depressive symptoms and related factors among those recently widowed (ie, within the last 2 years) in the United States (Health and Retirement Study) and India (Longitudinal Aging Study in India). We find US widows have greater elevation in depressive symptoms (-0.36 SD) than widows in India (-0.15) on average. We identify 3 protective resources for widows that are dependent on country context: having close friends vs no friends (-0.58 vs -0.13) and living with others vs alone (-0.79 vs -0.23) are both larger for widows in the United States. Self-rated health that is good, fair, or poor is related to higher depressive symptoms for widows in the United States vs India (between 0.55 and 1.12). Findings suggest protective resources among recently widowed individuals designed to protect mental health following this stressful event will require consideration of country context. In particular, social engagement-based interventions may offer more significant benefits to widows in the United States.
More Related Videos
11:31Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
08:42Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Close Relationships and Culture
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia