Physiological and psychological symptoms of grief in widows.
In this cross-sectional descriptive survey of 173 widows, we describe their grief symptoms using an open-ended questionnaire and the Revised Grief Experience Inventory. Self-reported physical symptoms included pain, gastro-intestinal problems, medical/surgical conditions, sleep disturbances, and neurological/circulatory issues. Psychological symptoms were reported as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The mean total grief score was 71.4 +/- 30.2 (possible range 22-132). Physical symptoms were significantly correlated with the total mean grief score, and subscales of physical distress, depression, existential tension, and guilt. When the subjects were grouped by years since loss, (range 1-5 years), there was no significant decrease found in overall grief scores, suggesting symptoms of grief experienced by widows may continue up to at least 5 years.
Kowalski
Susan D
SD
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3018, USA.
Bondmass
Mary D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005086:Existentialism / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006117:Grief; D006167:Guilt; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009505:Nevada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data