Objectives: Spousal bereavement is associated with detrimental mental and physical health outcomes. Positive affect is a protective factor associated with improved health; however, few studies have examined its impact in the context of spousal bereavement. This study examined the association between positive affect and grief symptoms (grief rumination, complicated grief, depression, and quality of life) among adult populations experiencing spousal bereavement.

Methods: The sample consisted of 40 bereaved spouses (60.0% female, 66.4 years old [SD = 10.9], mean days since loss 60 days [SD=24.6]) who participated in the REST to Overcome loss and Reduce Risk (RESTore) Plus study. Grief symptoms were measured using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS). Depressive symptoms and quality of life were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), respectively. Positive affect was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Linear regression was used to examine the associations between positive affect, grief symptoms, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (Physical functioning, energy and fatigue, emotional wellbeing, and social functioning).

Results: Mean values on positive affect, grief symptoms, grief rumination, and depressive symptoms were 29.7 (7.6), 25.2 (10.6), 35.7 (10.1), 19.1 (10.1). Subscales on the SF-36 included physical functioning (86.1 [15.4]), energy and fatigue (47.1 [20.0]), emotional well-being (61.9 [17.6]), and social functioning (67.5 [24.0]). There was a significant association between positive affect and grief symptoms (B=-0.75, 95% CI=-1.14 to -0.36), grief rumination (B=-0.63; 95% CI=-1.02 to -0.24), depressive symptoms (B=-0.92; 95 CI=-1.24 to -0.60), energy and fatigue (B=2.01; CI=1.44 to 2.57), emotional wellbeing (B=1.80; CI=1.31 to 2.28), social functioning (B=1.97; CI=1.15 to 2.78). All reported B values were unstandardized. These associations remained significant after controlling for age, sex, race, education, and days since loss.

Conclusion: Positive affect is associated with grief, depressive symptoms and quality of life among bereaved spouses, suggesting a protective effect. Future interventional studies should examine the enhancement of positive affect through psychological interventions and its effects on physical and mental health outcomes.