LAUSR

Spousal bereavement is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The pathways involved in this association are not well understood; however, inflammation has been implicated as an important factor. In this study, we aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between dimensions of quality of life and inflammation, and explore the moderating role of bereavement in these associations. Participants included 46 bereaved individuals and 60 controls with a mean age of 65.15 (SD = 15.00). Inflammation was measured using C-reactive protein (CRP). Dimensions of quality of life were measured using subscales of the Short Form Health Survey-36 (Physical functioning, role limitations, emotional limitations, energy and fatigue, mental health, social role functioning, bodily pain and general health). After controlling for participant age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and comorbid conditions, worse perceived general health was associated with increased inflammation among bereaved individuals and controls ( B  = −0.016, p  = 0.026). Further, there was a significant moderating effect of bereavement in the association between inflammation and physical functioning (Binteraction = −0.019, p  = 0.047), role limitations (B interaction = −0.016, p  = 0.005), energy and fatigue (B interaction = −0.026, p  = 0.033), mental health (B interaction = −0.038, p  = 0.005), and social role functioning (B interaction = −0.026, p  = 0.015). Associations between lower scores on these subscales and increased inflammation were present among bereaved individuals, only. This is the first study to examine the role of bereavement on the association between quality of life and inflammation.