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Does the impact of bereavement vary between same and different gender partnerships? A representative national, cross-sectional study.


ABSTRACT:

Background

Data suggest poorer bereavement outcomes for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, but this has not been estimated in population-based research. This study compared bereavement outcomes for partners of same-gender and different-gender decedents.

Methods

In this population-based, cross-sectional survey of people bereaved of a civil partner or spouse 6-10 months previously, we used adjusted logistic and linear regression to investigate outcomes of interest: (1) positive screen on Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), (2) positive screen on General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), (3) grief intensity (ICG) and (4) psychiatric symptoms (GHQ-12).

Results

Among 233 same-gender partners and 329 of different-gender partners, 66.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60.0-72.2] and 59.2% [95% CI (53.9-64.6)] respectively screened positive for complicated grief on the ICG, whilst 76.0% [95% CI (70.5-81.5)] and 69.3% [95% CI (64.3-74.3)] respectively screened positive on the GHQ-12. Same-gender bereaved partners were not significantly more likely to screen positive for complicated grief than different-gender partners [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.56, 95% CI (0.98-2.47)], p = 0.059, but same-gender bereaved partners were significantly more likely to screen for psychiatric caseness [aOR 1.67 (1.02, 2.71) p = 0.043]. We similarly found no significant association of partner gender with grief intensity [B = 1.86, 95% CI (-0.91to 4.63), p = 0.188], but significantly greater psychological distress for same-gender partners [B = 1.54, 95% CI (-0.69-2.40), p < 0.001].

Conclusions

Same-gender bereaved partners report significantly more psychological distress. In view of their poorer sub-clinical mental health, clinical and bereavement services should refine screening processes to identify those at risk of poor mental health outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Timmins L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10317796 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Does the impact of bereavement vary between same and different gender partnerships? A representative national, cross-sectional study.

Timmins Liadh L   Pitman Alexandra A   King Michael M   Gao Wei W   Johnson Katherine K   Yu Peihan P   Braybrook Debbie D   Roach Anna A   Marshall Steve S   Day Elizabeth E   Rose Ruth R   Clift Paul P   Almack Kathryn K   Yi Deok Hee DH   Bristowe Katherine K   Harding Richard R  

Psychological medicine 20220527 9


<h4>Background</h4>Data suggest poorer bereavement outcomes for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, but this has not been estimated in population-based research. This study compared bereavement outcomes for partners of same-gender and different-gender decedents.<h4>Methods</h4>In this population-based, cross-sectional survey of people bereaved of a civil partner or spouse 6-10 months previously, we used adjusted logistic and linear regression to investigate outcomes of interest: (1) positive scree  ...[more]

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