Sociodemographic and emotional variables in individuals experiencing grief: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Grief is the natural, adaptive response that follows a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one. In some cases, this process can become complicated, leading to an intensification of grief that causes discomfort and interferes with day-to-day functioning, which may result in prolonged grief symptoms (PGS). The aim of this study was to identify the main predictors of PGS in the context of the pandemic. A longitudinal study with follow-up at six months (n = 96) evaluated three groups of variables: sociodemographic and circumstances of death, psychopathological, and growth. The instruments used were the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Centrality of Event Scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form, and the Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report Plus (TGI-SR+). The mean of PGS as measured by the TGI-SR+ was 47.6 (SD = 19.2), and the percentage of subjects with Prolonged Grief Disorder was 42.98% using the liberal ICD-11 criteria and 7.89% using the more conservative. In total, 8.7% of the sample met the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria. The final hierarchical regression model showed that the impact of the event, the centrality of the event, and the age of the deceased were the main predictor variables of prolonged grief symptoms. This research has important clinical implications, as it provides insight into psychopathological and sociodemographic factors that influence PGS, allowing for more effective intervention planning.