Using three waves of interviews from the New Haven Epidemiologic
Catchment Area Program, the authors contrast the extent and nature of
depressive episodes and dysphoria between newly bereaved (N = 39) and
married (N = 1,047) respondents age 45 and older. Bereavement greatly
increased the risk of both conditions. This observation did not appear to
be an artifact because psychosocial risk factors were similar for the
bereaved and married groups. Bereavement increased the risk for a
depressive episode more among respondents who reported no prior dysphoria
than among those who did. Among those meeting criteria for depression, the
bereaved reported symptoms similar to those of the married group except for
significantly fewer reports of guilt.
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