Grief in old age. Significance and coping with the loss of a partner in the elderly

The death of a partner is one of the most important stressors that people have to cope with in their old age. Though likely, it breaks a link of mutual interdependence nurtured throughout the years and becomes a moment in life where many other losses coincide (physical, social, economic.). How do the elderly live this event? This article is a review of the main questions framing grief in old age. Its objective is to go deeper into the significance and coping strategies of the elderly when facing the loss of their partner. The special characteristics of grief in this life stage are analyzed, which include both risk factors (loss of a relationship of mutual interdependence) and protection factors (likelihood and life experience). The main biopsychosocial consequences of the loss of a partner in the elderly, which affect such aspects as loneliness, changes in circles of social relationships, adaptation to a new identity and new economic circumstances, are considered. Data from recent studies are collected, and five patterns of typical psychological response in front of the loss of a partner are described in the elderly, with depressive symptoms being given special attention. Finally, some factors that affect adjustment to grief are reviewed according to different articles, and gender differences in this process are considered.