Are older men more vulnerable to depression than women after losing their spouse? Evidence from three German old-age cohorts (AgeDifferent.de platform)

摘要

Background: Old age is accompanied by a higher risk of losing a spouse. This study aims to longitudinally investigate the effect of widowhood on depression severity with a special focus on sex differences. We examine depression before and after widowhood in men and women separately to investigate which sex is at greater risk after losing a spouse.