AI Insight
This Austrian nationwide study followed 1.3 million married adults aged 65 and older from 2014-2023 to examine suicide risk after losing a spouse. Widowed older adults had nearly double the suicide rate compared to married peers (56.9 vs 29.4 per 100,000 person-years), with risk highest in the first month after loss (13.6 times higher) but remaining elevated for up to five years. Widowed men, particularly those aged 85 and older, showed the highest suicide rates at 170.8 per 100,000 person-years.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that recently bereaved older adults, especially elderly men, require targeted monitoring and psychosocial interventions during the bereavement period. Healthcare providers and social services should implement enhanced support systems for widowed individuals, particularly during the critical first month and continuing through the first five years after partner loss.
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⚠️ Preprint – Noch nicht peer-reviewed
Dieser Artikel wurde noch nicht von unabhängigen Experten begutachtet. Die Ergebnisse sind vorläufig und sollten mit Vorsicht interpretiert werden.
Background: Limited evidence motivated us to examine risk of suicide after partner loss among older adults in Austria. Methods: All married older adults aged [≥]65 years and living in Austria (N=1,293,557) were followed during 2014-2023. Risk ratios (aRRs) for partner loss were calculated based on adjusted cumulative incidence functions. Results: A total of 357 suicides occurred among widowed older adults. Incidence rates among widowed and not widowed were 56.9 and 29.4 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. High rates were found among widowed males (170.8/100,000) and widowers aged [≥]85 (94.1/100,000). Suicide risk was highest in the first month (aRR, 13.6; 95%-CI: 8.7,22.4) but remained elevated up to five years after partner loss (aRR, 2.5; 95%-CI: 2.1, 2.8). Conclusion: Recently bereaved older adults had elevated risks of suicide suggesting monitoring and psychosocial support may be beneficial when bereaved.
Source: Partner loss and suicide among older adults: A nationwide cohort study from Austria