Dr. Lee is part of a team that has published “Spousal Loss, Depressive Symptoms, and Religious Involvement: Immediate Impact and Trajectories in Late Life” on Sage Journals. Analyzing Health and Retirement Study data from 2006 to 2018, researchers found that religious involvement significantly buffers the immediate depressive symptoms following late-life spousal loss. While faith-based engagement provides a crucial initial emotional cushion, it does not impact long-term recovery trajectories or changes in mental health over time. Consequently, while religion mitigates the acute shock of bereavement, alternative coping resources are necessary to support sustained psychological well-being.

View Publication: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/01640275251350287