Consequences of Conjugal Bereavement in Adults

NCT00001659 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 97015797-M-0157
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 210
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Bereavement refers to the expected reactions and sadness associated with the loss of a loved one. It has been reported that the loss of a spouse is rated as the major life stressor among survivors of varying ages and diverse cultural backgrounds. Statistics have shown that in the United States over 800,000 men and women lose a spouse each year. A wide range of symptoms has been associated with bereavement including; depressed mood, tearfulness, sleep disturbances, and irrational behavior. Previous studies have shown that up to 50% of bereaved individuals can develop major depression. Bereavement has also been associated with dysfunction of the immune system. As a result, bereaved adults are more vulnerable to infection. However, the exact relationship between bereavement and immunity is uncertain. Researchers firmly believe that a relationship does exist between stress, more specifically bereavement, immunity, and the increased chance of dying following the loss of a long-term spouse. The objective of this study is to find possible links between bereavement, depression, and the immune system. This study will follow a group of elderly bereaved spouses and a group of elderly people who have not lost a long-term spouse. The group of bereaved individuals will be followed for approximately 13 months after the loss of their spouse and the group of controls will be followed for 13 months after entering the study. Researchers will make note of any clinical, biological, and immunological changes in any participants of the study.

Conditions

Bereavement; Depressive Disorder; Immunologic Disease; Mental Disorder; Sleep Disorder

Keywords

Bereavement; Depression; Suicide; Activity of Daily Living; Immune Function; Occupational Performance; Sleep Disorders; Mood Changes

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

People over the age of 50 who have lost their spouse within the last three months.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Glaser R, Gravenstein S, Malarkey WB, Sheridan J. Chronic stress alters the immune response to influenza virus vaccine in older adults. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Apr 2;93(7):3043-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.7.3043.

  PMID: 8610165 BACKGROUND

• Reynolds CF 3rd, Frank E, Perel JM, Mazumdar S, Kupfer DJ. Maintenance therapies for late-life recurrent major depression: research and review circa 1995. Int Psychogeriatr. 1995;7 Suppl:27-39. doi: 10.1017/s104161029500233x.

  PMID: 8580390 BACKGROUND

• Steffens DC, Plassman BL, Helms MJ, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Saunders AM, Breitner JC. A twin study of late-onset depression and apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Biol Psychiatry. 1997 Apr 15;41(8):851-6. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(96)00247-8.

  PMID: 9099411 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder; Immune System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Depression; Suicide

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mood Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Self-Injurious Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: November 4, 1999
• Study Start: July 1, 1997
• Study Completion: May 1, 2002
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2002-05

Locations

US (1)