Relatives Bereaved by Natural Death with High Grief Symptoms Suffer Long-Term Consequences

Relatives who experienced high and sustained grief symptoms after a loved one's natural death were found to have increased mental health care use and mortality for up to 10 years after the loss. A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health examined the long-term health outcomes of 1,735 bereaved relatives, finding significant associations between grief symptom trajectories and various health outcomes, including GP contacts, mental health service use, and mortality. The research, led by Mette K. Nielsen, Ph.D., from the Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus, Denmark, identified five main trajectories of grief, with the high grief trajectory being characterized by persistently high grief symptom levels.

Key Takeaways:

• The high grief trajectory, seen in 6% of relatives, was associated with a significantly higher yearly incidence of GP contacts until seven years after bereavement, compared with the low grief trajectory.
• Relatives in the high grief trajectory had a higher use of mental health services, antidepressants, sedatives, and anxiolytics, and excess mortality (odds ratios, 2.86, 5.63, 2.60, and 1.88, respectively), compared with the low grief trajectory.
• The high grief trajectory was characterized by persistently high grief symptom levels, with 45% of relatives experiencing low grief symptoms.
• Relatives in the high grief trajectory had lower education on average and more frequent use of medication before bereavement, suggesting signs of mental vulnerability.
• The study's findings highlight the need for targeted support and interventions for relatives experiencing high and sustained grief symptoms.

Statistics:

• 1,735 bereaved relatives were included in the study.
• 45% of relatives were classified as having low grief symptoms.
• 6% of relatives were classified as having high grief symptoms.
• The high grief trajectory was associated with a 286% higher incidence of GP contacts until seven years after bereavement.
• The high grief trajectory was associated with a 563% higher use of mental health services.
• The high grief trajectory was associated with a 260% higher use of antidepressants.
• The high grief trajectory was associated with a 188% higher mortality rate.

Sources:

• Nielsen, M. K., et al. (2023). Associations between grief symptom trajectories and long-term health outcomes among relatives bereaved by natural death. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 100824.
• HealthDay News. (2025). Relatives Bereaved by Natural Death with High Grief Symptoms Suffer Long-Term Consequences.