Prevalence Of Complicated Grief Research Articles

The Prevalence of Complicated Grief Among Children Who Have Lost Loved Ones in Selected Public Primary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

The inability of children to comprehend and process death due to factors like chronological age, attachment of the child to the deceased, nature of death, and family support, might lead to delayed or prolonged grief and consequently complicated grief (CG). Complicated grief in a child’s life can affect his/her social and cognitive functioning manifesting in antisocial behaviours. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of complicated grief among children who had lost loved ones in selected public primary schools in Nairobi County. This study was guided by Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory. Multistage sampling, purposive sampling, inclusion, and exclusion criteria were used to select 259 pupils aged 10-13 years who had lost a loved one in the last year. Purposive sampling was also used to select 22 class teachers of the bereaved pupils who participated in the study. The study employed a convergent mixed-method design. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires (SDQ, ICG, and STAB) and interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 25.0. The findings indicated that the prevalence of complicated grief was 26.1%. The study concluded that complicated grief was prevalent among children who had lost a loved one. Therefore, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education introduce a school-based counseling program incorporating grief intervention techniques in public primary schools. During grief, a child’s world changes unexpectedly from conversant, predictable, and safe, to chaotic and dreadful. Parents and caregivers are also implored to brace up and talk about death to children, and involve them during funeral preparations.

Scanning the horizon: How might the psychological needs of the older adult population change in the recovery stage of the Covid-19 pandemic? Part one: Covid-19 and complicated grief

This document was developed by clinical psychologists working in community older adult mental health services during Covid-19. Born out of discussions about what the profession should expect during the recovery phase, the present authors decided to write a document to inform and guide those working in psychological services on identifying and working with changes in the population’s mental health needs. This document focuses on the likely role of clinical psychology and is structured in two parts. The first part highlights the possibility of an increase in the prevalence of complicated grief before outlining how to work psychologically with it.

Prevalence of complicated grief and related factors in elderly individuals in Sabzevar City, Iran.

Although often undiagnosed and untreated, prolonged grief and its conversion to complicated grief (CG) can lead to functional impairment. Given the impact of CG on mortality and quality of life in elderly individuals, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of CG and its related factors among the elderly in the city of Sabzevar in Iran. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were elderly individuals aged 60 years and older who lived Sabzevar in 2019. Participants were randomly selected in two stages. First, the grief experience of 823 elderly individuals was investigated. Second, the 247 individuals who met the inclusion criteria and had experienced grief were assessed for CG. Data were collected with a demographic information questionnaire, the Brief Grief Questionnaire, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The prevalence of CG among the participants who had experienced grief was 18.6%. Significant differences in CG prevalence were observed among participants according to age, gender, marital status, occupation, and relationship to the deceased person (P < 0.05). The prevalence of CG was also significantly associated with the deceased person's age, gender, and cause of death; the participant being the deceased's primary caregiver and the participant being with the deceased at the time of death(P < 0.05). Furthermore, CG was significantly higher in people with mild or severe depression than in non-depressed participants (P = 0.01). The odds of CG and sub-threshold CG incidence were 2.94 times higher in women than in men and 3.64 times higher in participants with severe depression than in non-depressed participants. Complicated grief is relatively prevalent among the elderly, and it is associated with age, gender, marital status, depression status, and some variables related to the deat time of the deceased. Given the negative effects of CG on individuals and the community, appropriate planning is needed to reduce its incidence in elderly individuals who have experienced grief.

The prevalence of complicated grief among Chinese people at high risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective This unprecedented systematic review aims to unearth the rate of CG among Chinese people. Methods Data sources were from PsycINFO, ProQuest Databases, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, Taiwan Periodical Literature System (TPLS), HKInChiP from the inception to June 2019. The eligibility criteria for inclusion were (a) including or useful to calculate the prevalence of CG in Chinese settings, (b) published in journals, (c) containing information on sample size, (d) full texts either written in English or in Chinese are available. Thirteen studies were engaged in meta-analytic evaluation after the systematic review. They were appraised by the risk of bias (RoB) for publication-quality and synthesized through meta-analysis for identifying the prevalence of CG among Chinese people. Results Meta-analysis revealed a pooled estimate of CG of 22.0% (95% CI: 0.111–0.391). The studies identified in this review were of methodological heterogeneousness and focused on the population at high risk of CG. They were a moderate or high risk of bias. Conclusion Results warrant the need to conduct a population-based and quality study to investigate the prevalence of CG in Chinese people. Many suggestions on treatment for Chines people with CG were provided.

The loss of a fellow service member: Complicated grief in post-9/11 service members and veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

Bereavement is a potent and highly prevalent stressor among service members and veterans. However, the psychological consequences of bereavement, including complicated grief (CG), have been minimally examined. Loss was assessed in 204 post-9/11, when service members and veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) took part in a multicenter treatment study. Those who reported the loss of an important person completed the inventory of complicated grief (ICG; n = 160). Over three quarters (79.41%) of the sample reported an important lifetime loss, with close to half (47.06%) reporting the loss of a fellow service member (FSM). The prevalence of CG was 24.75% overall, and nearly one third (31.25%) among the bereaved. CG was more prevalent among veterans who lost a fellow service member (FSM) (41.05%, n = 39) compared to those bereaved who did not (16.92%, n = 11; OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.59, 7.36). CG was associated with significantly greater PTSD severity, functional impairment, trauma-related guilt, and lifetime suicide attempts. Complicated grief was prevalent and associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes in veterans and service members with combat-related PTSD. Clinicians working with this population should inquire about bereavement, including loss of a FSM, and screen for CG. Additional research examining CG in this population is needed.

Depressive disorder and grief following spontaneous abortion.

BackgroundAbortion is associated with moderate to high risk of psychological problems such as depression, use of alcohol or marijuana, anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviours. The increased risk of depression after spontaneous abortion in Asian populations has not been clearly established. Only a few studies have explored the relationship between grief and depression after abortion.MethodsA study was conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors of depressive disorder and complicated grief among women 6–10 weeks after spontaneous abortion and compare the risk of depression with pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic. Spontaneous abortion group consisted of women diagnosed with spontaneous abortion by a Consultant Obstetrician. Women with confirmed or suspected induced abortion were excluded. The comparison group consisted of randomly selected pregnant, females attending the antenatal clinics of the two hospitals. Diagnosis of depressive disorder was made according to ICD-10 clinical criteria based on a structured clinical interview. This assessment was conducted in both groups. The severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patients Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Grief was assessed using the Perinatal Grief Scale which was administered to the women who had experienced spontaneous abortion.ResultsThe sample consisted of 137 women in each group. The spontaneous abortion group (mean age 30.39 years (SD = 6.38) were significantly older than the comparison group (mean age 28.79 years (SD = 6.26)). There were more females with ≥10 years of education in the spontaneous abortion group (n = 54; SD = 39.4) compared to the comparison group (n = 37; SD = 27.0). The prevalence of depression in the spontaneous abortion group was 18.6 % (95 CI, 11.51–25.77). The prevalence of depression in the comparison group was 9.5 % (95 CI, 4.52–14.46). Of the 64 women fulfilling criteria for grief, 17 (26.6 %) also fulfilled criteria for a depressive episode.The relative risk of developing a depressive episode after spontaneous abortion was significantly higher than in females with a viable pregnancy (RR = 2.19, 95 % CI, 1.05 to 4.56). After adjustment for age and period of amenorrhoea, the difference was not significant. Prevalence of complicated grief was 54.74 % (95 % CI, 46.3–63.18).ConclusionThe relative risk of developing a depressive episode after spontaneous abortion was not significantly higher compared to pregnant women after taking into account age and period of amenorrhoea (POA). Almost half the women developed complicated grief after spontaneous abortion. Of these, a significant proportion also had features of depressive disorder.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0812-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Rated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Complicated Grief in a Community-Based Sample of Homicidally Bereaved Individuals.

People confronted with homicidal loss have to cope with separation distress, related to their loss, and traumatic distress, associated with the circumstances surrounding the death. These reactions are related to complicated grief (CG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The psychological effects for people who have lost someone through homicide, in terms of PTSD and CG, are largely unclear. This cross-sectional study (a) examined the prevalence of self-rated PTSD and self-rated CG in a community-based sample of 312 spouses, family members, and friends of homicide victims and (b) aimed to identify socio-demographic, loss-related, and perpetrator-related correlates of PTSD and CG. Participants were recruited via support organizations for homicidally bereaved individuals in the Netherlands (i.e., support group), and by casemanagers of a governmental organization, which offers practical, non-psychological, support to bereaved families (i.e., casemanager group). Prevalence of self-rated PTSD was 30.9% (support group) and 37.5% (casemanager group), prevalence of CG was 82.7% (support group) and 80.6% (casemanager group). PTSD and CG severity scores varied as a function of the relationship with the victim; parents were at greater risk to develop emotional problems, compared with other relatives of the victim. Time since loss was negatively associated with PTSD and CG scores.

Pre-loss symptoms related to risk of complicated grief in caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients

PurposeA number of studies have underlined a 10–20% prevalence of complicated grief (CG) among caregivers of cancer patients. The study aimed at examining the relationship between pre-loss criteria for CG and post-loss diagnosis of CG and at evaluating the validity and factor structure of a predictive tool, the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), in order to identify the risk of developing CG in a sample of Italian caregivers. MethodsSixty family members of terminally ill patients admitted to hospice and receiving a Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP) predictive 30 day survival time <30% completed the Pre-Death ICG (ICG-PL) (T0). Family members were met again 6 months after the death of their loved one (T1) and submitted to the interview for Complicated Grief (Post-loss interview-PLI). ResultsCaseness for CG was shown in 18.3% of caregivers at T1. ICG-PL score (T0) were higher among those who developed CG at T1 than non-cases. A cut off score ≥49 on the ICG-PL (AUC=0.98) maximized sensitivity (92%) and specificity (98%) on caseness at T1. Pre-loss criteria related to traumatic distress, separation distress and emotional symptoms in general were significantly related to a post-loss diagnosis of CG, while no effect was shown on duration of pre-loss distress. ConclusionsThe use of short screening tools, like the ICG-PL, may help health care professionals to identify subjects at risk for CG.

Prevalence of Complicated Grief and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents Following Sibling Death

The effects of complicated grief (CG) in children and adolescents following the death of a sibling have not been studied in depth until recently. Research indicates that siblings and families are affected in a variety of ways by an ever-increasing number of factors. Risk factors for CG include, but are not limited to, coping strategies of the parents, the number of years since the death, the type of death, family support systems and relationships, therapeutic interventions, developmental ages of the siblings at the time of death, and the idea of finding meaning in life following the death. A death by accident or suicide which provides little or no warning to the family can cause a significant impact on families as compared to a death due to chronic illness. CG resulting in the development of anxiety disorders and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may arise if one or all of these risk factors are present. This article will present an overview of studies related to the development of CG and PTSD in children and adolescents following death of a sibling, factors that may precipitate development of symptomatology, and recommendations for therapeutic interventions and future studies.

Complicated grief in those bereaved by violent death: the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on complicated grief

Violent death, such as homicide, accident, and suicide, is sudden, unexpected, and caused by intentional power, The prevalence of complicated grief among those bereaved by violent death is 12.5% to 78.0%. The factors affecting this prevalence rate are considered to be comorbid mental disorders, lack of readiness for the death, difficulty in making sense of the death, high level of negative appraisal about the self and others, and various social stressors. Post-traumatic stress disorder is, in particular, considered to contribute to the development of complicated grief by suppressing function of the medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex, which works at facilitating the normal mourning process. An understanding of the mechanism and biological basis of complicated grief by violent death will be helpful in developing effective preventive intervention and treatment.

Death by request in Switzerland: Posttraumatic stress disorder and complicated grief after witnessing assisted suicide

BackgroundDespite continuing political, legal and moral debate on the subject, assisted suicide is permitted in only a few countries worldwide. However, few studies have examined the impact that witnessing assisted suicide has on the mental health of family members or close friends. MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 85 family members or close friends who were present at an assisted suicide was conducted in December 2007. Full or partial Post-Traumatic Distress Disorder (PTSD; Impact of Event Scale–Revised), depression and anxiety symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory) and complicated grief (Inventory of Complicated Grief) were assessed at 14 to 24 months post-loss. ResultsOf the 85 participants, 13% met the criteria for full PTSD (cut-off≥35), 6.5% met the criteria for subthreshold PTSD (cut-off≥25), and 4.9% met the criteria for complicated grief. The prevalence of depression was 16%; the prevalence of anxiety was 6%. ConclusionA higher prevalence of PTSD and depression was found in the present sample than has been reported for the Swiss population in general. However, the prevalence of complicated grief in the sample was comparable to that reported for the general Swiss population. Therefore, although there seemed to be no complications in the grief process, about 20% of respondents experienced full or subthreshold PTSD related to the loss of a close person through assisted suicide.

Prevalence of complicated grief in a representative population-based sample

BackgroundComplicated grief (CG) has been proposed as a distinct diagnostic category in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, few epidemiological studies to date have measured CG in the general population. MethodsPrevalence of CG, sociodemographic characteristics, and grief-related factors were examined in a representative population-based survey (N=2520) through face-to-face contact. The sample included all bereaved subpopulations and all age groups from 14 to 95years. ResultsThe conditional prevalence of developing CG after major bereavement was 6.7%; the prevalence of CG in the general sample was 3.7%. Predictors of higher risk for developing CG were female gender, lower income (<€1250/month), older age (>61years), having lost a child or a spouse, or cancer as the cause of death. LimitationsThe sample of bereaved people was small, and some categories contained very few cases. Psychiatric comorbidities were not assessed in this study. ConclusionsThe results indicate that CG is prevalent in the population, and risk factors were identified.

Complicated Grief and Suicidal Ideation in Adult Survivors of Suicide

While the prevalence of complicated grief has been demonstrated to be elevated in survivors of suicide, the association between complicated grief and suicidal ideation among adult survivors of suicide has not been explored. The purpose of the present study is to examine the association between complicated grief and suicidal ideation in suicide survivors. The Inventory of Complicated Grief and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered to 60 adult survivors within 1 month of a death by suicide of a family member or significant other. Complicated grief was associated with a 9.68 (CI: 1.036, 90.417) times greater likelihood of suicidal ideation after controlling for depression, suggesting that syndromal complicated grief heightens vulnerability to suicidal ideation. Clinicians may provide more comprehensive assessments by recognizing the possibility of suicidal ideation in those with complicated grief.