Prolonged Grief Disorder in a Diverse College Student Sample

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Grief Studies

Background:

• Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a significant mental health concern.
• College students represent a vulnerable population experiencing grief and loss.
• Understanding PGD prevalence and risk factors in this demographic is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of PGD among a diverse sample of college students.
• To identify factors associated with PGD in this population.
• To examine grief support sources and their perceived helpfulness.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 899 bereaved college students.
• The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) was used to measure PGD.
• Chi-squared and t-tests analyzed associations between PGD and various factors.

Main Results:

• 13.4% of participants met criteria for PGD.
• PGD rates were associated with race, prior anxiety/depression, trauma, attachment style, kinship, closeness to deceased, and cause/suddenness of death.
• Most students sought support from friends and family.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of PGD in college students mirrors adult rates.
• Students of color exhibited the highest prevalence of PGD.
• Identifying at-risk students is essential for effective treatment referrals.