Prolonged grief disorder and depression in a German community sample

Death Stud. 2014 Jul-Dec;38(6-10):476-81. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2013.809032. Epub 2014 Jan 21.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine rates and risk factors for prolonged grief and to investigate the association between prolonged grief and depression. The authors interviewed a heterogeneous bereaved sample of 61 Germans, 6 of whom had prolonged grief and depression, respectively. The 2 syndromes were strongly linked to one another. Risk factors for prolonged grief were being a woman and having high levels of religious beliefs and low levels of satisfaction with one's religious beliefs, emotional closeness to the deceased, and unanticipated loss. Symptoms of prolonged grief may endure years post-loss and often overlap with depression.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Grief*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Widowhood / psychology
  • Young Adult