Highlights
- •What is the primary question addressed by this study?This study examined the population-based prevalence and correlates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in U.S. veterans.
- •What is the main finding of this study?In this nationally representative study of 2,441 veterans, 158 (weighted 7.3%) screened positive for PGD. Adverse childhood experiences, female sex, non-natural causes of death, knowing someone who died from coronavirus disease 2019, and number of losses were strongly associated with PGD. Veterans with PGD were significantly more likely to screen positive for posttraumatic stress, major depressive, and generalized anxiety disorders; endorse suicidal thoughts and attempts; and utilize mental health treatment.
- •What is the meaning of the finding?PGD is prevalent in veterans, and associated with increased psychiatric burden and suicide risk.
Abstract
Objectives
To examine the point prevalence and correlates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in
a nationally-representative sample of United States (U.S.) veterans.
Methods
Data were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally
representative study of 2,441 U.S. veterans.
Results
A total of 158 (weighted 7.3%) veterans screened positive for PGD. The strongest correlates
of PGD were adverse childhood experiences, female sex, non-natural causes of death,
knowing someone who died from coronavirus disease 2019, and number of close losses.
After adjusting for sociodemographic, military, and trauma variables, veterans with
PGD were 5-to-9 times more likely to screen positive for post-traumatic stress disorder,
major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. After additional adjustment
for current psychiatric and substance use disorders, they were 2–3 times more likely
to endorse suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Conclusions
Results underscore the importance of targeting PGD as an independent risk factor for
psychiatric disorders and suicide risk.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 13, 2023
Accepted:
February 8,
2023
Received in revised form:
February 7,
2023
Received:
January 17,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
