Interaction of Depression and Bereavement on Mental Health in the Elderly

This study analyzes 393 elderly adults, divided into groups on the basis of bereavment (spouses who died by natural causes, by suicide & nonbereaved controls), & depression (none, mild & moderate-severe). The moderate-severe depression/suicide subgroup had the greatest psychiatric complications. Elderly persons with significant clinical depression at the time of a spouse’s death were also at significant risk for psychological complications during the bereavement process. (VM)