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Prevalence of complicated grief in a representative population-based sample
Anette Kersting1, Elmar Brähler, Heide Glaesmer
1Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|January 11, 2011
Summary
Complicated grief (CG) affects 3.7% of the general population. Risk factors include female gender, lower income, older age, and losing a child or spouse.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Complicated grief (CG) is a proposed diagnostic category for DSM-V.
- Limited epidemiological data exists on CG prevalence in the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of CG in a representative population.
- To identify sociodemographic and grief-related risk factors for CG.
Main Methods:
- A population-based survey of 2520 individuals was conducted.
- Face-to-face interviews assessed CG, sociodemographics, and grief factors.
- The sample included diverse age groups (14-95 years) and bereaved subpopulations.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of CG in the general sample was 3.7%.
- The conditional prevalence of developing CG after major bereavement was 6.7%.
- Risk factors identified: female gender, income < €1250/month, age > 61 years, loss of child/spouse, cancer death.
Conclusions:
- CG is prevalent in the general population.
- Specific risk factors for CG have been identified.
- Limitations include a small bereaved sample and unassessed psychiatric comorbidities.
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