The prevalence and characteristics of complicated grief in older adults

Newson, Rachel S.; Boelen, Paul A.; Hek, Karin; Hofman, Albert; Tiemeier, Henning

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2011.02.021

Cited by 232 publications

(203 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The death of a child is a devastating event and is considered to be the most severe kind of loss (Kersting, Brahler, Glaesmer, & Wagner, 2011; Newson, Boelen, Hek, Hofman, & Tiemeier, 2011). Previous research has found that bereaved parents may experience mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal behaviours (Harper, O’Connor, & O’Carroll, 2014; Lannen, Wolfe, Prigerson, Onelov, & Kreicbergs, 2008; Rogers, Floyd, Seltzer, Greenberg, & Hong, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latent profiles of physical and psychological outcomes of bereaved parents in China who lost their only child

Zhou

Huang

et al. 2018

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: Along with the implementation of the one-child policy in China, a special group of bereaved parents called ‘shiduer’ (失独者), meaning parents bereaved by the loss of their only child, emerged. Although previous research has examined the physical and psychological health of this population, individual differences in physical and psychological outcomes are still not well understood.Objective: This study aimed to identify heterogenous subgroups of Chinese bereaved parents who lost their only child based on the physical and psychological health of this population as well as the predictive factors of each subgroup.Method: Latent profile analysis was used to explore underlying patterns of physical and psychological indicators including subjective physical health, negative psychological outcomes (i.e. depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief disorder) and positive psychological outcomes (i.e. post-traumatic growth) among a sample of Chinese bereaved parents who lost their only child (N = 536). A three-step approach was used to examine the effects of covariates including quality of spousal relationship and recruitment channels on psychological and physical outcomes.Results: A three-profile model identified severity-based groupings of a ‘resilient’ subgroup (n = 153), a ‘coping’ subgroup (n = 338) and a ‘dysfunctional’ subgroup (n = 45). Less satisfaction with spousal relationship and recruitment from institutions in the community and online self-help groups (vs. offline support groups) are associated with the membership of the ‘coping’ or ‘dysfunctional’ subgroup compared to the ‘resilient’ subgroup.Conclusions: There is heterogeneity regarding the physical and psychological health of Chinese parents after losing their only child. The predictive effects of the quality of spousal relationship and the recruitment channels could provide directions for professional intervention.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latent profiles of physical and psychological outcomes of bereaved parents in China who lost their only child

Zhou

Huang

et al. 2018

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…Two further items (relating to seeing and hearing the deceased) were collapsed into one due to their similarity and to a pilot study indicating these symptoms were low in frequency and often overlapped ("I hear the voice of, or see, the person who died"). Several studies give further details on the interpretation of ICG (Boelen et al, 2010;Newson et al, 2011;Prigerson & Jacobs, 2001). We divided all interviewed participants into nongrievers (reference group), normal grievers, and complicated grievers.…”

Section: Assessment Of Complicated Griefmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We divided all interviewed participants into nongrievers (reference group), normal grievers, and complicated grievers. Complicated grief symptoms were assessed as present among participants who scored equal or greater than 22 on the ICG score and grieved longer than 6 months (Newson et al, 2011;Saavedra Perez et al, 2015).…”

Section: Assessment Of Complicated Griefmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This state is known as complicated grief (Prigerson et al, 2009). Complicated grief is an important mental health issue for the aging population, affecting social functioning and well-being (Newson, Boelen, Hek, Hofman, & Tiemeier, 2011). However, our knowledge about complicated grief is limited.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…However, our knowledge about complicated grief is limited. Previous studies suggest that symptoms of complicated grief are distinct from those of depression and anxiety and have incremental validity predicting impairments in social and interpersonal daily functioning (Boelen, van de Schoot, van den Hout, de Keijser, & van den Bout, 2010;Newson et al, 2011;Prigerson & Jacobs, 2001). In addition, the severe emotional strain of the loss of a loved one can trigger profound changes in lifestyle.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Associations of Grief and Complicated Grief With Sleep Quality in Older Adults

Milić

Perez

Zuurbier

et al. 2017

Behavioral Sleep Medicine

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Treating Complicated Grief

Simon

2013

JAMA

148

117

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IMPORTANCE The death of a loved one is one of life’s greatest, universal stressors to which most bereaved individuals successfully adapt without clinical intervention. For a minority of bereaved individuals, grief is complicated by superimposed problems and healing does not occur. The resulting syndrome of complicated grief causes substantial distress and functional impairment even years after a loss, yet knowing when and how to intervene can be a challenge. OBJECTIVE To discuss the differential diagnosis, risk factors for and management of complicated grief based on available evidence and clinical observations. EVIDENCE REVIEW MEDLINE was searched from January 1990 to October 2012. Additional citations were procured from references of select research and review articles. Available treatment studies targeting complicated grief were included. RESULTS A strong research literature led to inclusion of complicated grief in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (termed persistent complex bereavement disorder as a subtype of other specified trauma and stressor-related disorders), although it is a condition for which more research is formally recommended, and there is still ongoing discussion about the optimal name and diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Reliable screening instruments are available, and the estimated prevalence rate is 7% of bereaved people. Randomized controlled data support the efficacy of a targeted psychotherapy including elements that foster resolution of complicating problems and facilitate the natural healing process. Preliminary studies suggest antidepressant medications may be helpful. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Individuals with complicated grief have greater risk of adverse health outcomes, should be diagnosed and assessed for suicide risk and comorbid conditions such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, and should be considered for treatment.

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The prevalence and characteristics of complicated grief in older adults

Cited by 232 publications

References 28 publications

Latent profiles of physical and psychological outcomes of bereaved parents in China who lost their only child

Latent profiles of physical and psychological outcomes of bereaved parents in China who lost their only child

The Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Associations of Grief and Complicated Grief With Sleep Quality in Older Adults

Treating Complicated Grief

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