Parental mental health after the accidental death of a son during military service: 23-year follow-up study.
We prospectively studied parental mental health after suddenly losing a son in a military training accident. Parents (N = 32) were interviewed at 1, 2 and 23 years after the death of their son. The General Health Questionnaire and Expanded Texas Inventory of Grief were self-reported at 1, 2, 5, and 23 years; the Inventory of Complicated Grief was self-reported at 23 years. We observed a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders at 1- and 2-year follow-ups (57% and 45%, respectively), particularly major depression (43% and 31%, respectively). Only one mental disorder was diagnosed at the 23-year follow-up. Grief and psychological distress were highest at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Spouses exhibited a high concordance of psychological distress. Mothers reported more intense grief reactions than did fathers. The loss of a son during military service may have a substantial impact on parental mental health particularly during the first 2 years after death. Spouses' grief can be interrelated and may contribute to their psychological distress.
Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, Oslo, Norway. Pal.Kristensen@nkvts.unirand.no
Pål
P
Kristensen
Trond
T
Heir
Pål H
PH
Herlofsen
Øyvind
Ø
Langsrud
Lars
L
Weisæth
D000328:Adult; D055875:Avalanches / Q000401:mortality*; D003643:Death; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009664:Norway; D009679:Nuclear Family; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report