Death Of A Friend

Many of the currentĀ studies about grief have focused on the death of close relatives, often a spouse, but new research from the UKās Stirling UniversityĀ and Australian National UniversityĀ looked into the effectsĀ of losing a close friend. The researchers reported a decline in vitality and a deterioration of mental health among people (particularly women) following the death of a close friend. They also found that the death of a friend is not taken as seriously,Ā or not openly acknowledged,Ā and that the impact isĀ oftenĀ trivialized compared to the death of a close family member. The team collected information from 26,515 people over 14 years among whomĀ 9,586 had experienced the death of at least one close friend. The studyĀ found that in the four years afterwards thoseĀ participantsĀ who lost close friends experienced significantly adverse changes in physical and psychological wellbeing. This proved particularly true amongĀ those enrolled in the studyĀ who were less socially active. The researchers concluded that thereās a need to ensure that services are available to people who have experienced the death of a friendĀ to help them develop the necessary support networks.Ā Ā
Source:
LizĀ ForbatĀ et al, āDeath of a close friend: Short and long-term impacts on physical, psychological and social well-being,ā PLOS, April 4, 2019,Ā doi/10.1371/journal.pone0214838Ā
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