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Suicide after bereavement: an overlooked problem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2008

V. Ajdacic-Gross ,
M. Ring ,
E. Gadola ,
C. Lauber ,
M. Bopp ,
F. Gutzwiller  and
W. Rössler
V. Ajdacic-Gross*
Affiliation:
Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
M. Ring
Affiliation:
Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
E. Gadola
Affiliation:
Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
C. Lauber
Affiliation:
Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, 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. Rössler
Affiliation:
Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr V. Ajdacic-Gross, University Psychiatric Hospital Zurich, Research Unit for Clinical and Social Psychiatry, Militärstrasse 8, Postfach 1930, CH 8021, Zürich, Switzerland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

To examine the effect of time on suicide after bereavement among widowed persons.

Method

The data were extracted from Swiss mortality statistics for the period 1987–2005. The time between bereavement and subsequent death, specifically by suicide, was determined by linkage of individual records of married persons. The suicide rates and the standardized mortality ratios in the first week/month/year of widowhood were calculated based on person-year calculations.

Results

The annualized suicide rates in widowed persons were highest in the first week after bereavement: 941 males and 207 females per 100 000. The corresponding standardized mortality ratios were approximately 34 and 19 respectively. In the first month(s) after bereavement, the rates and the ratios decreased, first rapidly, then gradually. Except in older widows, they did not reach the baseline levels during the first year after bereavement.

Conclusions

The suicide risk of widowed persons is increased in the days, weeks and months after bereavement. Widowed persons are a clear-cut risk group under the aegis of undertakers, priests and general practitioners.

Keywords

Bereavementsuicidetime effects
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 38 , Issue 5 , May 2008 , pp. 673 - 676
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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