Prevalence and correlates of complicated grief in military primary care: Implications for healthcare providers
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Gibson, L. P. (2024). Prevalence and correlates of complicated grief in military primary care: Implications for healthcare providers. Journal of Death and Dying. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228241241098
Abstract Created by REACH:
Grief is a common experience, but sometimes, persistent grief can lead to functional impairment (i.e., complicated or prolonged grief). Using a sample of Service members, Veterans, and adult military dependents who had experienced the death of a loved one (N = 161), this study examined the associations among relationship to the deceased, the manner of death, participants’ mental health (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms, depressive symptoms, prior diagnoses), and grief symptom severity. Overall, the manner of death of a loved one and the participants’ mental health symptoms were related to the severity of their grief symptoms.
Focus:
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Veteran
Child of a service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Gibson, Lauren P.
Abstract:
Grief is a universal experience, but for approximately 1 in 10 individuals, grief can become impairing. Despite servicemembers’ frequent exposure to death, research on grief in the military remains limited. The purpose of the study was to explore the prevalence and correlates of complicated grief (CG) in military primary care. A quantitative survey was conducted with 161 non-treatment-seeking service members, veterans, and their dependents, of whom 138 reported a significant loss. Results revealed that 35% of the respondents who were bereaved met the cut-off score of 25 on the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG). Furthermore, 10% met the cut-off score of 30 on the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13-Revised Scale (PG-13-R). Importantly, death by suicide and pre-existing mental health conditions were associated with greater symptom severity. These findings have important implications for primary care providers and other clinicians working with military populations.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
bereavement, complicated grief, primary care
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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