Prevalence and Correlates of Embitterment in a National Representative Sample

Embitterment may occur after stressful but normal life events, such as job loss, divorce, or unjust events. Embitterment is a normal affect, but it may become clinically relevant in case it becomes very strong and long-lasting, and impairs daily functioning.

Until now, no epidemiological data on the frequency of high embitterment in the general population have been available.

A national representative survey of 2,531 people was carried out in Germany in 2019. The participants gave ratings for their embitterment due to perceived events (Posttraumatic Embitterment Scale), their psychological capacity profile (Mini-ICF-APP-S), sick leave duration, and sociodemographics.

About 11.7% of the investigated representative population report moderate embitterment, and another 3.8% high embitterment. Embitterment was only low correlated with other psychopathology, here work anxiety (r = 0.281**). There are no differences between embittered and nonembittered in respect to age, sex, household members, and professional distribution. Those with the highest embitterment have been unemployed more often and have lower income. At least 7.2% of those with high embitterment have a severe psychological capacity impairment and are in need of support by thirds to fulfill daily duties. In 55% of the 802 who reported a stressful event, injustice by an important person has been reported. Injustice by an institution (14%) or societal injustice (12%) was least often reported as a relevant stressful event.

Physicians, therapists, and public health must be aware of embitterment as a specific mental health problem which occurs frequently and may become chronic with work and life participation problems.