BACKGROUND: Literature and clinical experience suggest that some people experience atypical, complicated or pathological bereavement reactions in response to a major loss. METHOD: Three groups of community-based bereaved subjects--spouses (n = 44), adult children (n = 40), and parents (n = 36)--were followed up four times in the 13 months after a loss. A 17-item scale of core bereavement times was developed and used to investigate the intensity of the bereavement response over time. RESULTS: Cluster analysis revealed a pattern of bereavement-related symptoms approximating a syndrome of chronic grief in 11 (9.2%) of the 120 subjects. None of the respondents displayed a pattern consistent with delayed or absent grief. CONCLUSIONS: In a non-clinical community sample of bereaved people, delayed or absent grief is infrequently seen, unlike chronic grief, which is demonstrated in a minority.
BACKGROUND: Literature and clinical experience suggest that some people experience atypical, complicated or pathological bereavement reactions in response to a major loss. METHOD: Three groups of community-based bereaved subjects--spouses (n = 44), adult children (n = 40), and parents (n = 36)--were followed up four times in the 13 months after a loss. A 17-item scale of core bereavement times was developed and used to investigate the intensity of the bereavement response over time. RESULTS: Cluster analysis revealed a pattern of bereavement-related symptoms approximating a syndrome of chronic grief in 11 (9.2%) of the 120 subjects. None of the respondents displayed a pattern consistent with delayed or absent grief. CONCLUSIONS: In a non-clinical community sample of bereaved people, delayed or absent grief is infrequently seen, unlike chronic grief, which is demonstrated in a minority.
Authors: Sharon C Sung; M Taylor Dryman; Elizabeth Marks; M Katherine Shear; Angela Ghesquiere; Maurizio Fava; Naomi M Simon Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2011-05-31 Impact factor: 4.839
Authors: M Katherine Shear; Katie A McLaughlin; Angela Ghesquiere; Michael J Gruber; Nancy A Sampson; Ronald C Kessler Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2011-08 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: Mary Jo Gilmer; Terrah L Foster; Kathryn Vannatta; Maru Barrera; Betty Davies; Mary S Dietrich; Diane L Fairclough; Jamie Grollman; Cynthia A Gerhardt Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2012-07-10 Impact factor: 3.612