Prolonged Grief Disorder, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder are distinguishable syndromes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study examined the distinctiveness of symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We compared the fit of a one-factor model with the fit of four hierarchical models in which symptoms formed three distinct correlated higher-order dimensions, and PTSD-items were modeled in different ways.

METHODS:

Self-reported data were available from two samples; 572 mourners recruited via the internet and 408 mourners recruited via healthcare workers.

RESULTS:

In Sample 1, the unitary model did not fit the data. The four hierarchical models all fit better. The model in which PTSD-items constituted four lower-order factors of reexperiencing, avoidance, dysphoria, and hyperarousal fit the data best. The fit was further improved, when one weak PGD-item and one weak PTSD-item were removed, and error-terms of similar items were allowed to correlate. Findings from Sample 1 were replicated in Sample 2.

LIMITATIONS:

This study relied on self-reported data. Not all PGD-criteria and depression-criteria were assessed.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first confirmatory factor analysis study showing that symptoms of PGD, depression, and PTSD represent distinguishable syndromes. PGD-symptoms should be addressed in the assessment and treatment of bereaved people seeking treatment.

• Authors: Paul A Boelen, Rens van de Schoot, Marcel A van den Hout, Jos de Keijser, Jan van den Bout
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 125 Issue 1-3 Pg. 374-8 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 20189657 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adjustment Disorders (diagnosis, psychology)
• Adult
• Aged
• Bereavement
• Death, Sudden
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Grief
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Personality Inventory (statistics & numerical data)
• Psychometrics (statistics & numerical data)
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sex Factors
• Spouses (psychology)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (diagnosis, psychology)