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Bereavement Among African American and White Older Adults

Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center University of Alabama at Birmingham

Patricia Sawyer Baker, PhD

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Richard M. Allman, MD

Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center University of Alabama at Birmingham

Jeffrey M. Roseman, MD, PhD, MPH

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Purpose: The authors examined epidemiology and sociodemographic predictors of spousal, nonspousal family, and friendship bereavement among African American and White community-dwelling older adults using longitudinal data from 839 participants of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a prospective cohort study of a random sample of Alabama Medicare beneficiaries. Method: Authors calculated cumulative incidences of each type of loss and used logistic regression to identify factors significantly and independently associated with loss. Results: Of participants, 71% reported at least one loss; 50% reported nonspousal family loss, and 37% reported friendship loss. For married participants, the cumulative incidence of spousal loss was 8.1%. Female sex and income < $12,000 were predictors of spousal loss. Female sex and education 12 years were predictors of friendship loss. Higher educated African American women were at greater risk of nonspousal family loss. Discussion: Future research should examine bereavement burden and identify health outcomes of multiple losses.

Key Words: African American and White older adults • geriatric bereavement events • spousal loss • nonspousal family loss • friendship loss

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 19, No. 2, 313-333 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264307299301


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