Beverly Rosa Williams1, Patricia Sawyer Baker, Richard M Allman, Jeffrey M Roseman. 1. Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham VA Medical Center, 700 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233, and University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. beverly.williams3@va.gov
Abstract
PURPOSE: The authors examined epidemiology and sociodemographic predictors of spousal, non-spousal family, and friendship bereavement among African American and White community-dwelling older adults using longitudinal data from 839 participants of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a prospective cohort study of a random sample of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries. METHOD: Authors calculated cumulative incidences of each type of loss and used logistic regression to identify factors significantly and independently associated with loss. RESULTS: Of participants, 71% reported at least one loss; 50% reported non-spousal family loss, and 37% reported friendship loss. For married participants, the cumulative incidence of spousal loss was 8.1%. Female sex and income < $12,000 were predictors of spousal loss. Female sex and education >/= 12 years were predictors of friendship loss. Higher educated African American women were at greater risk of non-spousal family loss. DISCUSSION: Future research should examine bereavement burden and identify health outcomes of multiple losses.
PURPOSE: The authors examined epidemiology and sociodemographic predictors of spousal, non-spousal family, and friendship bereavement among African American and White community-dwelling older adults using longitudinal data from 839 participants of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a prospective cohort study of a random sample of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries. METHOD: Authors calculated cumulative incidences of each type of loss and used logistic regression to identify factors significantly and independently associated with loss. RESULTS: Of participants, 71% reported at least one loss; 50% reported non-spousal family loss, and 37% reported friendship loss. For married participants, the cumulative incidence of spousal loss was 8.1%. Female sex and income < $12,000 were predictors of spousal loss. Female sex and education >/= 12 years were predictors of friendship loss. Higher educated African American women were at greater risk of non-spousal family loss. DISCUSSION: Future research should examine bereavement burden and identify health outcomes of multiple losses.
Authors: Angela R Ghesquiere; Mijung Park; Hillary R Bogner; Rebecca L Greenberg; Martha L Bruce Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2013-12-14 Impact factor: 4.105