The importance of harmonising diagnostic criteria sets for pathological grief

Lonneke I M Lenferink; Paul A Boelen; Geert E Smid; Muirne C S Paap

doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.240

The importance of harmonising diagnostic criteria sets for pathological grief

Br J Psychiatry. 2021 Sep;219(3):473-476. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2019.240.

Authors

Lonneke I M Lenferink¹, Paul A Boelen², Geert E Smid³, Muirne C S Paap⁴

Affiliations

¹ Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen; and Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
² Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University; Professor, ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre; and Clinical Psychologist, Foundation Centrum '45, The Netherlands.
³ Psychiatrist, ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre; Psychiatrist, Foundation Centrum '45; and Professor, University of Humanistic Studies, The Netherlands.
⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Inclusive and Special Needs Education, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen; Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Family Welfare, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; and Researcher, Department of Research and Development, Clinic Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.

Abstract

Five diagnostic criteria sets for pathological grief are currently used in research. Studies evaluating their performance indicate that it is not justified to generalise findings regarding prevalence rates and predictive validity across studies using different diagnostic criteria of pathological grief. We provide recommendations to move the bereavement field forward.

Keywords: DSM-5; ICD-11; Persistent complex bereavement disorder; complicated grief; prolonged grief disorder.

MeSH terms

Bereavement*
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Grief
Humans
International Classification of Diseases*
Prolonged Grief Disorder