Widowhood and Depression in a Cross-National Perspective: Evidence from the United States, Europe, Korea, and China

Jadhav, Apoorva; Weir, David

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbx021

Cited by 58 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Both the present and former studies find that for a large proportion of the bereaved widowhood is associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms from shortly after bereavement, and that this proportion continues to be high even into long-term widowhood [34,53]. Although the specific prevalence estimates must be interpreted with some caution regarding what is the true prevalence, it is evident that widowed people have a high risk of developing impairing symptoms, which should be identified and intervened against early, to avoid prolongation into long-term widowhood as currently seen.…”

Section: Implications Of the Findingssupporting

confidence: 51%

“…A recent cross-cultural study supports that this is also the case in terms of the longitudinal trajectories [53]. Whereas increased depression scores were initially seen for both sexes in widowed people compared to married, the scores decreased for women to levels similar to their married counterparts but remained increased for widowed men for up to 10 years of widowhood [53]. Notwithstanding this, in the three studies that presented depression prevalence by time since spousal loss and sex, there was no evident pattern and further studies of the impact of sex are still needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Previous studies that examined prevalence of depression in widowhood without considering time since spousal loss found that men are more likely to experience widowhood-related depression than women [51,52]. A recent cross-cultural study supports that this is also the case in terms of the longitudinal trajectories [53]. Whereas increased depression scores were initially seen for both sexes in widowed people compared to married, the scores decreased for women to levels similar to their married counterparts but remained increased for widowed men for up to 10 years of widowhood [53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

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The association of time since spousal loss and depression in widowhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kristiansen

Kjær

Hjorth

et al. 2019

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Purpose To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association of the prevalence of depression and time since spousal loss in widowed people. Methods The databases MEDLINE, Embase and PsycInfo were searched (May 2017) for papers reporting on time since spousal loss in widowed people and the prevalence of common mental disorders. A systematic review was conducted according to MOOSE guidelines. Random effects meta-analyses of the prevalence of depression were conducted by intervals of time since spousal loss. Results The literature search identified 12,982 studies of which 22 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Of these, 14 were furthermore eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The summary estimates found in the meta-analysis for the prevalence of depression in the intervals of time since spousal loss were: ≤ 1 month: 38.2% (21.9-55.8%); > 1 month to 3 months: 25.0% (17.3-33.5%); > 3 months to 6 months: 23.1% (18.0-28.7%); > 6 months to 12 months: 19.4% (15.2-24.0%); > 12 months to 18 months: 11.1% (5.3-18.7%); > 18 months to 24 months: 15.2% (12.3-18.2%); > 24 months to 60 months: 10.5% (4.3-18.5%). Conclusion Widowhood is associated with a high prevalence of depression and the study identifies a population group needing special attention in daily clinical practice. The prevalence is highest in the first month of widowhood, however, continues to be high at least 5 years into widowhood.

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Section: Implications Of the Findingssupporting

confidence: 51%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

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The association of time since spousal loss and depression in widowhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kristiansen

Kjær

Hjorth

et al. 2019

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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“…Loss of spouse is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes including decreased physical well-being, increased mortality risk, and poor cognitive and functional health compared to married counterparts. Poor mental health is one of the most immediate responses to loss of spouse [25,26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Population in Iran: Findings from Kerman Coronary Artery Diseases Risk factors Study (KERCADRS)

Najafipour

Shahrokhabadi

Banivaheb

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Anxiety and depression (A&D) are common mental disorders with high economical and health burdens. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the incidence rate of A&D and their relationship with socio-demographic and other risk factors and co-morbidities in adults living in southeastern Iran.Method: We recruited adults (15 to 80 years) in two rounds (2009-2012, 2014-2018) of a population-based cohort study called Kerman coronary artery disease risk factors study (KERCADRS) in Kerman, Iran. The age-standardized A&D prevalence was measured among all participants (n=9996) and the five-year A&D incidence rate was measured in those who were free of A&D in the first round (n = 2813). The relationship between A&D and demographic characteristics, smoking, opium use, obesity and physical activity was assessed by logistic regression models. Results: Overall, the prevalence of anxiety (48.1% to 16.4%, P-value <0.001) and depression (5.9% to 1.3% P-value <0.001) decreased between the two rounds. The highest prevalence of anxiety was among people who were unemployed (%?), smokers (%?), and opium users (%?). Young adults, women, those divorced or widowed, and those with obesity and low physical activity had a higher chance for anxiety. The five-year incidence rate (person/1000 person-years) was 15.0 for anxiety and 3.9 for depression.Conclusion: Despite the overall decrease in the prevalence of A&D, certain groups such as young adults, women, unemployed and those who smoke cigarettes or opium, people with low physical activity and obesity are in need of more targeted interventions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Population in Iran: Findings from Kerman Coronary Artery Diseases Risk factors Study (KERCADRS)

Najafipour

Shahrokhabadi

Banivaheb

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Anxiety and depression (A&D) are very common disorders and among the important causes of morbidity. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the incidence rate of these mental disorders and their relationship with socio-demographic and coronary artery disease risk factors in the adult population in southeastern Iran.Method: In a population based cohort study (KERCADRS phase2), the prevalence and five-year incidence rate of A&D and associated variables were studied on 9996 adults, 2820 of whom had also participated in phase1 of the study.Results: The prevalence for A&D was 41.6% (30.6% men, 48.9% women) and 16.0% (10.0% men, 19.9% women), respectively. The prevalence of A&D showed a decreasing trend with increase of education and age. The highest prevalence of A&D was observed among the unemployed, smokers, and opium users. The chance of having A&D symptoms also significantly increased in young people, the female gender, divorced or widowed women, obese individuals, and those with low physical activity (LPA). In phase2, A&D were significantly lower than they were in phase1 in all age groups and in both genders. The five-year incidence rate (per 1000 person-years) was 30.7 for anxiety and 9.8 for depression.Conclusion: Although there are some promising signs of reduction in the prevalence of A&D symptoms in the last five years, their higher prevalence in young people and females, along with their association with unemployment, smoking, opium use, LPA and obesity means that more effective interventions and strategies are needed to reduce the deleterious consequences of these disorders.

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Widowhood and Depression in a Cross-National Perspective: Evidence from the United States, Europe, Korea, and China

Cited by 58 publications

References 48 publications

The association of time since spousal loss and depression in widowhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The association of time since spousal loss and depression in widowhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Population in Iran: Findings from Kerman Coronary Artery Diseases Risk factors Study (KERCADRS)

Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Anxiety and Depression in Adult Population in Iran: Findings from Kerman Coronary Artery Diseases Risk factors Study (KERCADRS)

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