Polish version of the Inventory of Complicated Grief - preliminary validation.

Karolina Ludwikowska,Bogusława Lachowska

doi:10.12740/pp/91729

Abstract

The purpose of the following study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Inventory of Complicated Grief. 278 people who experienced loss of a close relative or a friend participated in the research on adaptation of the tool. The following research methods were applied: ICG (Inventory of Complicated Grief), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), IES-R (Impact of Events Scale-Revised), AHS (Adult Hope Scale), LOT-R (Life Orientation Test-Revised), GSES (General Self-Efficacy Scale), MSTAT-2 (Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance). The statistical analyses conducted as part of the research prove the Polish version of the ICG to be a reliable and valid tool (Cronbach's alpha = 0.941). Amoderate positive correlation was noted between the overall ICG score and depression (r = 0.50; p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and trait anxiety (r = 0.59; p < 0.001). The general ICG results also display negative correlation between variables related to positive expectations of the future: optimism (r = -0.37; p < 0.001), hope for success (r =-0.19; p =0.001), general self-efficacy (r = - 0.27; p < 0.001), and ambiguity tolerance (r = - 0.27; p < 0.001). The conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the one-factor model of the Polish version of the Inventory of Complicated Grief can be considered wellfitted to the data (correlation of measurement errors was allowed). Preliminary studies on the adaptation of the Polish version of the ICG prove, therefore, that it is a valid and reliable tool. However, further research is needed to help better understand the structure of complicated grief symptoms.

Highlights

Grief is considered a natural reaction to loss, some people are unable to return to regular psychosocial functioning despite extended period of time since deathKarolina Ludwikowska-Świeboda, Bogusława Lachowska of a loved one [1]
The statistical analyses conducted as part of the research prove the Polish version of the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) to be a reliable and valid tool (Cronbach’s α = 0.941)
A moderate positive correlation was noted between the overall ICG score and depression (r = 0.50; p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and trait anxiety (r = 0.59; p < 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

Grief is considered a natural reaction to loss, some people are unable to return to regular psychosocial functioning despite extended period of time since deathKarolina Ludwikowska-Świeboda, Bogusława Lachowska of a loved one [1]. Grief is considered a natural reaction to loss, some people are unable to return to regular psychosocial functioning despite extended period of time since death. The crux of complicated grief (CG) is chronic facing specific and intense experiences related to the death of loved ones, which cause a significant impairments in everyday functioning [3]. The intense experiences relate to such symptoms as: strong longing for the deceased rendering regular everyday functioning impossible, difficulties with accepting loss, avoiding factors associated with the loss, inability to trust other people after the death of the close person, anger and bitterness related to loss, sense of insecurity related to own identity and role (self-esteem and concept of oneself), emotional numbness, sense of shock and disbelief, feeling of emptiness and inability to see meaning of life since the death of the close person [4, 5]. Time that passed since the death of a close person is a crucial criterion while distinguishing uncomplicated from complicated grief

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