ABSTRACT
Clinical Implications There have been numerous publications documenting the effect of bereavement on immunity. Researchers have shown that immune responses were decreased among recently bereaved individuals and among others with anticipatory bereavement (Irwin, Daniel, Smith, et aI., 1987). On the other hand, studies of patients with Depressive Disorders showed inconsistent results; in some, immune responses were decreased, whereas in others, immune responses were normal (Stein, Miller, & Trestman, 1991). Other conditions that seem to reduce immune responses include severely stressful events, such as work-related stress, final examinations, and going though a divorce (McDaniel et aI., 1994).
