Bereavement-related depression in the older adult population: a distinct disorder?
BACKGROUND
Bereavement is a phenomenon that shares many symptoms with depression, and that a great number of older adults experience following the loss of a close relative. The objectives of the present study were to (1) determine whether the symptoms of depression reported by bereaved individuals differ from those with non-bereavement minor/major depression (NBRD), (2) assess whether BRD is as persistent during a one year follow-up as compared to NBRD, and (3) identify factors and consequences associated with BRD.


METHODS
The data used for this study came from the Longitudinal Study ESA (Study Health of Elders), conducted between 2005 and 2008, using a representative sample (n=2811) of community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 and over. To test our hypothesis, an exploratory latent class analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used.


RESULTS
BRD prevalence among older adults suffering from depression was 39%. BRD individuals report all symptoms of depression, but in lower probabilities, and BRD is as persistent as MDD over 12 months, suggesting that it does not differ from NBRD. The principal factors associated with BRD were widowhood and lower level of education. Individuals with BRD are less likely to consult medical services and be dispensed an antidepressant, compared to NBRD.


CONCLUSIONS
We have to be cautious when generalizing our findings to individuals with major depression alone, since our results included both minor and major depressions in the same group.


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence was found that BRD differed from non BRD in terms of depressive symptoms and persistence. The bereavement exclusion criterion in the DSM-IV should be reconsidered.
Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Canada; Charles LeMoyne Hospital Research Center, Canada. Electronic address: natalia.jozwiak@usherbrooke.ca.
Natalia
N
Jozwiak
Michel
M
Preville
Helen-Maria
HM
Vasiliadis
D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male
Aging; Bereavement; Depression; Epidemiology