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Being widowed - a high risk period for suicide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

V. Ajdacic-Gross ,
E. Gadola ,
C. Lauber ,
M. Bopp ,
F. Gutzwiller  and
W. Rossler
V. Ajdacic-Gross
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
E. Gadola
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
C. Lauber
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
M. Bopp
Affiliation:
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
F. Gutzwiller
Affiliation:
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
W. Rossler
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract

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Objectives:

To address and better understand the problem of high suicide rates in widows and widowers.

Methods:

Sex and age specific suicide data collated by marital group were extracted from Swiss mortality statistics for the period 1991-2003. The mortality in the first week / month / year of widowhood was calculated based on person-year calculations.

Results:

Cross-sectional analysis by sex and age-group confirms the existence of different suicide rate patterns according to marital status. Moreover, the profiles of suicide methods differ. In particular, suicide methods which may be associated with impulsive suicides, such as firearms or poisoning, are relatively frequent in the widowed. The suicide risk of widowed persons is extremely high in the days and weeks immediately after bereavement.

Conclusions:

Suicide risk and suicide behavior varies systematically according to marital status. In particular, widows and widowers emerge as a group suitable for preventive methods because of the existence of a time window when there is increased risk. Moreover, widowed persons are a clear-cut risk group under the aegis of undertakers, priests and perhaps general practitioners.

Type
Poster Session 1: Antipsychotic Medications
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 22 , Issue S1: 15th AEP Congress - Abstract book - 15th AEP Congress , March 2007 , pp. S146
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2007
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