Persistent Severe Grief Associated with Nearly Double Risk of Mortality Over a Decade

Experiencing grief after the loss of a loved one is a natural and expected emotional response. However, for a small subset of individuals, this grief can become so intense and enduring that it adversely affects their physical and mental health, increasing their risk of illness and even death. Research indicates that individuals who recently lost someone tend to utilize healthcare services more frequently and exhibit elevated mortality rates in the short term.

A recent study conducted by researchers in Denmark has revealed that individuals experiencing persistent high levels of grief are more likely to seek medical care and have a higher likelihood of dying within ten years following bereavement. These findings were published in Frontiers in Public Health.

Lead author Dr. Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen from the Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus explained, "This is the first large-scale study to examine long-term healthcare use and mortality patterns over a decade after experiencing loss."

The study classified grief trajectories into five groups based on symptom patterns observed in the first three years post-loss, utilizing the Prolonged Grief-13 (PG-13) questionnaire. The groups ranged from those with consistently low grief symptoms (38%) to those with persistently high symptoms (6%), including other trajectories characterized by decreasing or late-onset symptoms. The researchers followed participants for up to ten years, analyzing health service utilization, psychological treatment, medication prescriptions, and mortality data.

While differences in healthcare use diminished after about eight years, the increased risk of death among those on the high grief trajectory persisted throughout the entire follow-up period. The underlying causes of this association remain unclear, but preliminary links point to higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, mental health issues, and suicides in individuals with persistent intense grief.

Moreover, those at risk of a high grief trajectory could potentially be identified early, as data showed they were more likely to have been prescribed psychotropic medications before the loss. Factors associated with this group included lower education levels and pre-existing signs of mental health vulnerability.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to recognize early signs of severe grief and mental health struggles. Tailored follow-up, mental health support, or referrals to specialists can potentially mitigate the long-term risks associated with intense grief. Recognizing and addressing these factors promptly could play a crucial role in improving health outcomes for bereaved individuals.

For more detailed insights, the full research is available in Frontiers in Public Health.