HMN 2025: How Cause of partner’s death is linked to widowhood mortality—differences more pronounced in cohabiting couples

Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, have identified significant differences in mortality among widows and widowers from cohabiting versus married relationships, depending on the deceased partner’s cause of death. The study, “Widowhood mortality among married and cohabiting partners: a nationwide study in Finland,” is published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.

Accidental death increases the surviving partner’s mortality risk more than death from illness. Mortality rises particularly sharply among those who had been living in cohabitation.

People who lived in cohabiting relationships face greater financial uncertainty and weaker legal protection after their partner’s death.

“This may help explain why their mortality risk is higher, especially following an unexpected loss,” says Associate Professor Marko Korhonen from the University of Oulu Business School.

“Notably, the finding that accidental death raises mortality more among those widowed from cohabitation than among those widowed from marriage is new. It highlights the need to examine the roles of socioeconomic status and weakened legal protection as mechanisms influencing mortality,” Korhonen explains.

This is believed to be the first study to examine the significance of a partner’s cause of death on such a broad scale by comparing mortality among widowed individuals who were previously in either cohabiting or married relationships.

The results also show that forming a new relationship reduces mortality compared to living alone. A new partnership—particularly marriage—is associated with clearly lower mortality for both women and men.

The study is based on a nationwide longitudinal dataset covering the entire Finnish population, including 318,351 individuals aged 40–65 who had lived in either cohabiting or married relationships. They were followed from 1995 to 2020. Mortality was assessed over 20 years after the partner’s death and compared against a similarly matched individual whose partner remained alive during that period.

The research provides new insights into the mortality risks faced by people widowed from marriage versus cohabitation when their partner has died either accidentally or from natural causes. The findings offer important background information for planning welfare and health services.

“The results can be used to tailor support measures for widowed individuals depending on the partner’s cause of death and the nature of the relationship, so that assistance can be directed to those at greatest risk,” Korhonen says.

Widows and widowers from cohabiting relationships require special support, as they often have a weaker socioeconomic position and fewer legal safeguards than married spouses. Those who have experienced accidental loss may benefit from early psychological and social support. Based on the study, mental health services, pension systems and survivor benefits could be better targeted toward at-risk groups.

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