Risk and Resilience to Late-life Suicidal Ideation and Behavior After Spousal Bereavement: Targeting Social Connectedness to Strengthen Circadian Rhythmicity
University of Pittsburgh
Summary
The purpose of the RISE study is to examine how the 24-hour rhythm of sleep and social activity relate to mood and suicidal ideation among older adults that recently lost a spouse or life partner.
Description
Experiencing the death of a spouse or life partner is a profoundly distressing event that may cause abrupt changes in one's daily routine, including decreased self-care and withdrawal from social activities. While most individuals adapt over time, a substantial number of older bereaved spouses (20-35%) experience depression, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and early mortality, including death by suicide. The objective of this study is to examine the risk for and resilience to late life suicide during the early spousal bereavement period by investigating the extent to which (1) social connected…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Older adults who recently lost their spouse or life partner and are high risk for suicidal thoughts and/or behavior. Inclusion Criteria: 1. Bereaved \< or = to 12 months from spousal/partner loss 2. \> or = to 65 years old 3. Verified history of suicide attempt/attempts and/or current or past history of Major Depressive Disorder/Major Depressive Episode (MDD/MDE) (without psychotic features), or history of depression severe enough to trigger treatment, or current subsyndromal depression (\> or = to 9 HDRS) 4. No diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders/bipolar/current psychosis 5…
Interventions
- BehavioralWELL Behavioral Probe
Participant record the timing and regularity of sleep, meals, and social activity twice daily, for 3 months, using a digital diary. Participants also receive weekly motivational health coaching.
Location
- University of Pittsburgh (UPMC)Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania