"Unlike Men"... Bereaved Women Become Happier Over Time

A Long-Term Study of 20,000 Older Adults in Japan
Health Outcomes After Bereavement Differ by Gender

Health changes among the elderly after losing a spouse have been found to differ by gender. Men who lost their spouse faced higher risks of mortality and dementia, as well as deteriorating mental health, while women who lost their husbands reported increased happiness and life satisfaction.

A recent joint research team from Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) in the United States and Chiba University in Japan published a paper in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the official academic journal of the International Society for Affective Disorders. According to the paper, following the loss of a spouse, men showed increased risks of death and dementia and worsening depressive symptoms, whereas women tended to experience greater happiness and life satisfaction as time passed.

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The research team conducted a long-term follow-up on health and life changes after spousal bereavement among the elderly in Japan. For their analysis, they used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a large-scale survey targeting Japanese seniors.

The study was based on data from 2013, 2016, and 2019. The participants consisted of approximately 25,957 adults aged 65 or older who lived independently. Among these, bereavement status was analyzed for those who were married in 2013.

The researchers categorized participants by the timing of spousal bereavement: no bereavement experience, bereavement between 2013 and 2015, and bereavement between 2015 and 2016. They then analyzed a total of 37 indicators across seven domains, including physical and cognitive health, mental health, subjective well-being, social relationships, prosocial behavior, health behaviors, and social capital.

As a result, men who lost their spouse were more likely to face higher risks of mortality and dementia. In contrast, the link between bereavement and health for women was relatively weak or not distinct.

There were also differences in mental health outcomes. Men who lost their spouse experienced increased depressive symptoms and feelings of hopelessness, as well as decreased happiness during the first year after bereavement. However, these effects tended to diminish over time.

On the other hand, women who lost their spouse did not experience increased depressive symptoms. In addition, as time went by, their happiness and life satisfaction actually increased.

In terms of social activity, both men and women showed increased social participation following bereavement. However, men were more likely to experience a decrease in social support.

Differences were also notable in lifestyle habits, such as health management. Men tended to increase their alcohol consumption after bereavement, while women became more likely to undergo health checkups. However, women also tended to reduce their physical activity compared to before.

The research team stated, "These findings suggest that, following spousal bereavement, men may be more vulnerable than women in terms of health," adding, "To support adaptation and recovery among the elderly, policy support that takes gender characteristics into account is necessary."

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