Does the death of a child influence parental use of psychotropic medication? A follow-up register study from Finland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Several studies have found that the loss of a child is associated with psychiatric health problems, yet few studies examined whether child loss influences psychotropic medication use. This study examined short- and long-term use of psychotropic medication, both before and after the death of a child, and its potential effect modifiers.

Methodology/principal findings

A random sample of 205,456 parents, including 902 bereaved parents, were selected from a Finnish total population registry. The analyses were based on linear regressions using generalised estimation equations (GEE) and adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Annual psychotropic use was defined as having purchased prescribed psychotropic medication between 1996 and2012. Bereaved parents were followed for

SUBMITTER: Rostila M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5931448 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature