The<unk>  is the increase in the probability of a person dying a relatively short time after their long-time spouse has died. The pattern indicates a sharp increase in risk of death for the widower, particularly but not exclusively, in the three months closest thereafter the death of the spouse. This process of losing a spouse and dying shortly after has also been called "dying of a broken heart". Becoming a widow is often a very detrimental and life changing time in a spouse's life, that forces them to go through changes that they may not have anticipated to make for a significant amount of time. Responses of grief and bereavement due to the loss of a spouse increases vulnerability to psychological and physical illnesses. Psychologically, losing a long-term spouse can cause symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and feelings of guilt. Physical illness may also occur as the body becomes more vulnerable to emotional and environmental stressors. There are many factors that may be affected when one becomes a widow. A widow tends to have a decline in health regulation. Higher prevalence in mortality rates are noted among bereaved spouses during the first six months of bereavement compared to the last six months of bereavement. In general, however, a study on a large population sample has suggested that the rates of death nearly double during the first three months after the loss of a spouse, and quickly taper thereafter. Grieving spouses are more vulnerable during these few months not only health wise but socially and physically. During this early period of bereavement spouses tend to have less interest in their health as well as physical appearance caring less about continuing with medications or adapting healthy behaviors. Consequently, they are likelier to practice risky behaviors and commit suicide. Women on the other hand, are more likely to look for social support such as friends, family, or support groups regarding the matter. This effect appears to be far more prevalent in older married couples than in younger married couples. Through the many studies that have been conducted over the years, it has been found that the<unk>  affects the mortality rates of people with varying levels of severity depending on their genders and religions. It is far more frequent in more seasoned, long-term, elder couples than in recently married couples. One of the main reasons that this would seem to be true is that older married couples have spent the majority of their lives together, and they have spent time working together and growing together as a couple. In most cases, they raised children together and experienced many hardships together that brought them even closer. This would make the death of their spouse much harder. Since the topic has only been recently studied within this last decade, and due to the prevalence of older couples being affected, most widows in similar studies are typically over the age of 50. After analyzing the numerous studies that have been directed throughout the years, it has been found that the<unk>  impact influences the death rates of individuals with changing levels of stringencies relying upon their sexual orientations and religions. While it is still unknown exactly what causes this phenomenon to occur, there are many theories that support this notion and its correlation to the<unk> .
Widowhood effect
Weekend effect
Ceiling effect 
Outcomes paradox
Construct validity
Lombard effect
Whitten effect
Martha Mitchell effect