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Death rates are highest within six months after bereavement and continue high for about three years. Bereavement produces higher mortality among widowers than widows, and among younger ages than older (although the age differences aren't always significant). Socioeconomic status doesn't seem to matter.
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Most experts agree there are three main reasons for this phenomenon, although the statistics don't tell you which is most important:
</p><ul> <li>Death-related events affecting both spouses at the same time, such as both being in the same accident. Duh, but you can't overlook the obvious.</li>
<li>Common risk environment - for example, both spouses live in the same neighborhood subject to the same environmental factors such as pollution. Similarly, both spouses may engage in common health-related behaviors such as smoking or drinking.</li>
<li>Direct dependence, where the death of one spouse changes the other spouse's life, also called "broken-heart" syndrome. This is the kind we're mainly interested in, but it can be tough to distinguish from the first two even if you've got the resources for a case-by-case analysis.</li> </ul><p class="answer">
Suicide rates are significantly higher for the recently widowed - this was established by pioneering sociologist Emile Durkheim in a classic 1897 monograph. Suicide is most prevalent during the first week after the death of a spouse. There are also higher rates of death due to heart disease and conditions such as cirrhosis.
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The mortality risk is higher for widows/widowers under age 55 when the bereavement was sudden, as from accident. For widows/widowers in the 50-to-65-year range, the highest risk is when the spouse has died of chronic illness. Several studies indicate the risk is lower when the widow/widower has family or other social support and higher when the bereaved is socially isolated.
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Why are the bereaved at higher risk? The two broad explanations are grief and stress. Grief can lead to depression and its consequences. Stress can impair the immune system, increasing susceptibility to disease, and trigger dangerous behavioral changes such as higher cigarette and alcohol use. Most data is based on married couples because it's easier to obtain, but there are indications of a similar mortality increase following the death of children, siblings, and parents. Sure, grief is natural and proper, but it's healthier for the survivors to move on.
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