Mental health outcomes of widowed and married mothers after war

Nexhmedin Morina, Paul M. G. Emmelkamp
2012 British Journal of Psychiatry  
We assessed prevalence rates of mental disorders in 206 mothers who had experienced the Kosovo war 10 years previously: 100 lone mothers widowed by the war, 71 non-bereaved married mothers, and 35 married mothers bereaved since the war (loss of family other than husband). A total of 96% of widowed lone mothers reported a major depressive episode, an anxiety disorder or a substance use disorder as compared with 54.9% and 60% in the married groups. Furthermore, 45% of widowed lone mothers
more » ... current suicide risk as compared with 16.9% and 22.9% in the married samples. War-related widowhood combined with lone motherhood constitutes a significant factor for elevated psychopathology.
doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.093609 pmid:22116978 fatcat:f3vhceauhncithceirohagxy6a