PREDICTORS OF COMPLICATED GRIEF

This study examined whether process variables predict an outcome of co mplicated grief. A turbulent and prolonged grief was predicted to occu r after the death of a spouse in subjects who had self-blame, used the deceased for an extension of self had ambivalence toward the deceased , or overcontrolled emotional responses. Ninety subjects were examined at 6, 14, and 25 months after the loss via a self-report battery of p rocess variables and a structured clinical interview designed to asses s symptoms. Subjects with complicated grief were compared with those w ith normative grief Predictions were supported only in tertiary data a nalyses; they were not supported well in the primary and secondary sta tistical analyses. The authors concluded that either self-reports of p rocess variables are inadequate measures or the theory that led to the se measures and predictions is in need of revision.