Authors
- F MacCallum1,
- R A Bryant2
- University of Queensland1,
- University of New South Wales (UNSW)2
2018
Excerpt
Introduction: Prolonged grief (PGD) is a debilitating post-bereavement syndrome experienced by 7% of bereaved individuals. Much of the focus on PGD has been directed towards establishing the extent to which the syndrome as a whole is associated with impairment. A question that has yet to be addressed is whether impairments may be differentially related to particular symptoms. Awareness of how individual symptoms connect to impairment has significant potential to increase understanding of underlying dysfunction.
Objective: To map the relationships between symptoms of PGD, quality of life (QoL) and suicidal ideation, to identify influential symptoms and potential pathways to impairment.
Approach: Graphical networks were computed in R using interview and self-report data from 210 bereaved treatment-seeking and community participants.
Practice Implications: PGD symptoms differentially related to suicidal ideation and reduced QoL. Meaninglessness emerged as a central node within the network, linking with both suicidal ideation and reduced QoL. Role confusion and trust difficulties were also linked with reduced QoL. Identifying influential nodes within the network highlights potential treatment targets.
Conclusions: Network analysis offers an innovative statistical method for highlighting potential pathways to dysfunction. Findings are consistent with theoretical models of PGD that emphasize the importance of self-identity and loss of meaning.
Objective: To map the relationships between symptoms of PGD, quality of life (QoL) and suicidal ideation, to identify influential symptoms and potential pathways to impairment.
Approach: Graphical networks were computed in R using interview and self-report data from 210 bereaved treatment-seeking and community participants.
Practice Implications: PGD symptoms differentially related to suicidal ideation and reduced QoL. Meaninglessness emerged as a central node within the network, linking with both suicidal ideation and reduced QoL. Role confusion and trust difficulties were also linked with reduced QoL. Identifying influential nodes within the network highlights potential treatment targets.
Conclusions: Network analysis offers an innovative statistical method for highlighting potential pathways to dysfunction. Findings are consistent with theoretical models of PGD that emphasize the importance of self-identity and loss of meaning.