Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | 2019
The association of time since spousal loss and depression in widowhood: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
PurposeTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association of the prevalence of depression and time since spousal loss in widowed people.MethodsThe databases MEDLINE, Embase and PsycInfo were searched (May 2017) for papers reporting on time since spousal loss in widowed people and the prevalence of common mental disorders. A systematic review was conducted according to MOOSE guidelines. Random effects meta-analyses of the prevalence of depression were conducted by intervals of time since spousal loss.ResultsThe literature search identified 12,982 studies of which 22 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Of these, 14 were furthermore eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The summary estimates found in the meta-analysis for the prevalence of depression in the intervals of time since spousal loss were: ≤\u20091\xa0month: 38.2% (21.9–55.8%); >\u20091\xa0month to 3\xa0months: 25.0% (17.3–33.5%); >\u20093\xa0months to 6\xa0months: 23.1% (18.0–28.7%); >\u20096\xa0months to 12\xa0months: 19.4% (15.2–24.0%); >\u200912\xa0months to 18\xa0months: 11.1% (5.3–18.7%); >\u200918\xa0months to 24\xa0months: 15.2% (12.3–18.2%); >\u200924\xa0months to 60\xa0months: 10.5% (4.3–18.5%).ConclusionWidowhood is associated with a high prevalence of depression and the study identifies a population group needing special attention in daily clinical practice. The prevalence is highest in the first month of widowhood, however, continues to be high at least 5\xa0years into widowhood.