Relationship Satisfaction Determines the Association Between Epstein-Barr Virus Latency and Somatic Symptoms After the Loss of a Spouse

Overview

Journal Pers Relatsh

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Date 2023 Jan 23

PMID 36685314

Authors

Angie S LeRoy

Whitney E Petit

Ryan L Brown

Kyle W Murdock

Luz M Garcini

Raymond P Stowe

Chris P Fagundes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The loss of a spouse is associated with a host of negative health outcomes. While bereaved individuals commonly report somatic symptoms, no investigations exist of the association between reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and somatic symptoms among this population. Further, how an individual perceives the quality of their lost relationship in retrospect may impact loss outcomes. Among 99 bereaved spouses, elevated EBV antibody titers were associated with somatic symptoms for those who retrospectively reported high or mean levels of relationship satisfaction (RS), but not among those less satisfied. Further, higher RS was associated with greater grief symptoms. This study identifies higher retrospective RS as a possible risk factor for negative physical and mental health outcomes during bereavement.

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