The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
A Call for Sound Empirical Testing and Evaluation of Criteria for Complicated Grief Proposed for DSM-V
Authors:
Prigerson, Holly G.
Maciejewski, Paul K.
Source:
Omega: 2005-2006. Volume 52, Issue 1, pp. 9-19.
Summary
This article discusses issues related to the development of criteria for a diagnostic category for complicated grief to be considered for inclusion in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The authors call for empirical testing of criteria that have been proposed, and critique a recent study examining the validity of the proposed criteria. The authors discuss the conceptual differences between complicated grief and depression, and complicated grief and normal grief. The authors also discuss the concern that a diagnostic category for complicated grief may result in stigmatization of the bereaved. It is the authors’ view that many individuals experiencing complicated grief would benefit from knowing that they have a recognizable condition.
Key words: complicated, prolonged, trauma
Service Provider Implications
Practitioners may benefit from becoming familiar with the current debates regarding establishing criteria for a diagnostic category for complicated grief. Practitioners should be aware that complicated grief may be included as a diagnostic category in the next edition of the DSM.
