Five-factor model in bereaved adults with and without complicated grief.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Grief research

Background:

• Complicated grief (CG) is a debilitating condition characterized by persistent, intense grief.
• Understanding the psychological underpinnings of CG is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Limited research has explored the role of personality traits in the development of CG.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the five-factor personality traits and complicated grief in bereaved adults.
• To identify specific personality characteristics that may predispose individuals to developing CG.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 81 bereaved adults, including 51 with CG and 30 without, were assessed.
• Participants underwent a structured, diagnostic psychiatric interview conducted by a trained clinician.
• Self-report measures of grief severity and personality traits were administered.

Main Results:

• Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between higher levels of neuroticism and greater CG symptom severity.
• Neuroticism emerged as a potential psychological factor implicated in the manifestation of CG.

Conclusions:

• Neuroticism is associated with increased symptom severity in complicated grief.
• Further prospective research is warranted to confirm neuroticism as a risk factor for CG development.