Abstract
Background
Knowledge on the course of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression among disaster-bereaved people enhances our understanding of the aetiology and treatment of traumatic grief.
Objective
To identify (predictors of) trajectories of PCBD, PTSD, and depression in disaster-bereaved people (study 1) and to examine temporal associations between PCBD, PTSD, and depression symptoms (study 2).
Method
In study 1, distress-trajectories were identified using latent class growth modelling. People (N = 172) whose significant other died due to MH17 disaster completed PCBD, PTSD, and depression questionnaires 11, 22, 31, and 42 months after the disaster. Predictors of trajectories were examined with logistic regression. In study 2, the same data were used to examine temporal associations between symptoms, using cross-lagged analysis.
Results
In study 1, a Mild (81.8%) and Chronic (18.2%) PCBD class emerged. For PTSD and depression we found a Mild (85.2% and 85.6%), Recovered (4.4% and 8.2%), and Chronic trajectory (10.3% and 6.2%). A lower educational level predicted chronic trajectories. In study 2, changes in PCBD symptoms had a greater impact on changes in PTSD and depression symptoms than vice versa.
Conclusions
In Study 1 we found support for differential trajectories and predictors across the outcomes, suggesting that different symptom-profiles post-loss may need different treatment approaches. Study 2’s findings run counter to the notion that PTSD and depression symptoms should be addressed before grief in treatment. We suggest that early screening and treatment of elevated grief is pivotal in preventing long-lasting distress.
Knowledge on the course of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression among disaster-bereaved people enhances our understanding of the aetiology and treatment of traumatic grief.
Objective
To identify (predictors of) trajectories of PCBD, PTSD, and depression in disaster-bereaved people (study 1) and to examine temporal associations between PCBD, PTSD, and depression symptoms (study 2).
Method
In study 1, distress-trajectories were identified using latent class growth modelling. People (N = 172) whose significant other died due to MH17 disaster completed PCBD, PTSD, and depression questionnaires 11, 22, 31, and 42 months after the disaster. Predictors of trajectories were examined with logistic regression. In study 2, the same data were used to examine temporal associations between symptoms, using cross-lagged analysis.
Results
In study 1, a Mild (81.8%) and Chronic (18.2%) PCBD class emerged. For PTSD and depression we found a Mild (85.2% and 85.6%), Recovered (4.4% and 8.2%), and Chronic trajectory (10.3% and 6.2%). A lower educational level predicted chronic trajectories. In study 2, changes in PCBD symptoms had a greater impact on changes in PTSD and depression symptoms than vice versa.
Conclusions
In Study 1 we found support for differential trajectories and predictors across the outcomes, suggesting that different symptom-profiles post-loss may need different treatment approaches. Study 2’s findings run counter to the notion that PTSD and depression symptoms should be addressed before grief in treatment. We suggest that early screening and treatment of elevated grief is pivotal in preventing long-lasting distress.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 15 Jun 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 16th Conference of European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, ESTSS 2019 - Rotterdam, Netherlands Duration: 14 Jun 2019 → 16 Jun 2019 Conference number: 16 |
Conference
Conference | 16th Conference of European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, ESTSS 2019 |
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Abbreviated title | ESTSS 2019 |
Country/Territory | Netherlands |
City | Rotterdam |
Period | 14/06/19 → 16/06/19 |