Suicide in widowed persons - A psychological autopsy comparison of recently and remotely bereaved older subjects

Author(s): Conwell, Y., Cox, C.

Journal/Book: Amer J Geriatr Psychiatr. 1998; 6: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 328-334.

Abstract: Using the psychological autopsy method, the authors sought to determine whether widowed people who commit suicide more than 4 years after their spouse's death (n=21) can be clinically distinguished from those who commit suicide after a shorter period of widowhood (n = 14). The latter had a higher rate of psychiatric treatment (P=0.018), early loss/separation (P=0.03), and a nonsignificantly higher rate of lifetime substance abuse (P = 0.07). Spousal bereavement increases the likelihood of physician visits, so the recently widowed represent a population for whom interventions may be readily implemented. Clinicians should monitor suicide risk in their widowed patients, especially those with psychiatric, substance abuse, and/or early loss/separation histories.

Note: Article Duberstein PR, Univ Rochester, Med Ctr, Dept Psychiat, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester,NY 14642 USA

Keyword(s): SAN-DIEGO; DIAGNOSES; STRESSORS; MORTALITY; MORBIDITY; VICTIMS

Zurück | Weiter