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What is the old widow syndrome? Understanding the widowhood effect

According to a 2014 study in the *Journal of Public Health*, bereaved spouses face a 66% increased mortality risk within the first 90 days. This phenomenon is often colloquially referred to as "the old widow syndrome," though it is more formally known as the widowhood effect and can impact both men and women. It is a period of heightened stress and vulnerability following the loss of a life partner.