Validity of the TGI-SR+ in Francophone populations: Insights from Quebec and Belgium

The loss of a significant person can lead to a broad spectrum of responses. While most individuals gradually recover within a year, a minority develop Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). The Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report Plus (TGI-SR+) was recently developed to ensure that the original scale (TGI-SR) still accurately assesses PGD in line with the latest diagnostic standards of the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11. This study aimed to validate the TGI-SR+ within two French-speaking cohorts: 276 French-Canadian and 469 Belgian participants. Data were collected through an online survey in 2022. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a 4-factor model for the TGI-SR+ total scale, but high inter-item correlations favored a 1-factor solution. A 1-factor model was found for the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 PGD scores. Convergent validity with mental health disorder, depression, and post-traumatic growth, and known-group validity were confirmed. The findings endorse the TGI-SR+ as a valid tool for detecting potential PGD.