Symptoms of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety in a homicidally bereaved population: A confirmatory factor analysis

Abstract

In response to the apprehension of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) as a new diagnostic entity, researchers have investigated the distinctiveness of symptoms of PGD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. This research has provided conflicting results. The current study aimed to contribute to existing literature by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine whether symptoms of PGD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety are distinct in an adult treatment-seeking homicidally bereaved population. Participants were homicidally bereaved adults in the United Kingdom who were referred for cognitive behavioural therapy and completed pre-assessments (N = 917). Measures used to assess symptoms were the Inventory of Complicated Grief, Impact of Event Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale. A CFA was conducted where six models were tested. The factor-structure comprising four, distinct factors of PGD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety fit the data the best. The unitary model fit the data the worst. The results support the distinctiveness of PGD as a new diagnostic entity. Furthermore, correlations between measures and factors suggest an overlap in symptoms, reflective of the pervasive distress and consequences of homicidal bereavement. Nevertheless, the current study added to existing evidence that PGD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety are distinct disorders.