(PS2-6) Examining the Impact of Bereavement on Inflammation and Symptoms of Psychological Health

Abstract Text: Abstract

Title: Examining the Impact of Bereavement on Inflammation and Symptoms of Psychological Health



Bereavement is a stressor that impacts the psychological well-being of an individual and their physical health. This study aimed to understand the psychological and biological consequences of bereavement. Data was collected through Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher 1, a longitudinal study that examines social, psychological, and biological vulnerabilities associated with potential health outcomes (Weinstein et al., 2019). The study consisted of 863 adults (bereaved=373, non-bereaved=490) who completed an in-person study visit which involved answering self-report questionnaires to assess anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Bereavement status was determined by a questionnaire asking all participants were asked if they had lost someone since their previous study visit (i.e., yes/no; M=1.82 years prior). They also had a blood draw to examine inflammation (e.g., C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha [TNF-α], and Interleukin-6 [IL-6]). An ANCOVA controlling for age, biological sex, and race found significantly higher levels of depression (F(4,736)=33.41, p<.001), anxiety (F(4,736)=252.09, p<.001), and perceived stress (F(4,736)=219.68, p<.001) among bereaved individuals compared to non-bereaved individuals. Further, when controlling for age, biological sex, race, BMI, exercise, medication usage, and chronic illness, an ANCOVA found higher levels of IL-6 (F(7,717) = 6.97, p=.001) and TNF-α (F(7,717)=13.83, p<.001) in bereaved individuals compared to non-bereaved individuals, but no differences in CRP (F(7,716)=3.59, p=.03) after the Bonferroni correction was implemented (i.e., 3; p-value of <.0167 considered statistically significant). Overall, the findings inform clinicians and physicians about the psychological and biological consequences of bereavement, which if left untreated, can contribute to long-term psychological and physical health issues. This study highlights the potential psychological and biological consequences of bereavement and offers potential targets for intervention for bereaved individuals