Der Verlust des Ehepartners ist mit einem höheren Risiko für Demenz und Mortalität bei Männern verbunden, nicht jedoch bei Frauen. Verwitwete Männer erlebten eine Verschlechterung der körperlichen und kognitiven Gesundheit sowie der sozialen Unterstützung, während verwitwete Frauen tendenziell eine Zunahme von Glück und Lebenszufriedenheit erlebten.

Spousal Loss Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia, Mortality among Men, but Not Women

Widowed men experienced a decrease in physical and cognitive health, as well as social support, while widowed women tended to experience an increase in happiness and life satisfaction.

The loss of a spouse is an incredibly emotional and stressful experience, and as populations continue to live longer lives, more couples will experience this distress. But spousal bereavement appears to affect genders differently, according to a new study led by the School of Public Health and Chiba University.

Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study examined spousal bereavement among older adults in Japan and found that widowed men experienced poorer physical and mental health and well-being, whereas widowed women showed only a short-term decrease in happiness and no change in other aspects of their health, and even improved their overall well-being in subsequent years.

Compared to non-widowed men, men who lost a spouse were at higher risk for dementia, mortality, and daily functioning, as well as depression and a decrease in happiness and social support, which all gradually subsided over time. Women, however, appeared to withstand these health effects after losing their husband, showing no increase in depressive symptoms, and often an increase in happiness and life satisfaction that lasted years after their loss.

For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032726002429

There are conclusions that can be drawn about this particular situation but people get real mad when you say it out loud

Well guess I’m screwed. Widower since 37 (almost 5 years now) and been raising 2 little ones on my own. Tried a relationship not long ago and was told I wasn’t trying hard enough or giving enough time to pursue. I don’t have more free time between work, housework, and 2 children. Ain’t no way I’m taking time away from my kids.

I would be curious to see if there would be similar findings in other countries. I live in the US and my mom has lots of social connections and hobbies in retirement, while my dad basically just has my mom. I’ve seen this same dynamic with a lot of my friends’ parents and with my mom’s friends and their husbands. Add to that the fact that so many women in their generation seem to have to force their husbands to go to the doctor, and I am not surprised at all by these results.

I would love to see more efforts at helping men build community later in life.