biostudies-literatureStahl STNIMH NIH HHSNational Institutes of Health386-391https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10922502biostudies-literatureUnknown32(3)<h4>Objective</h4>To identify 1) complicated grief symptom clusters among acutely-bereaved older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 and 2) if spousal death due to COVID-19 increased risk of developing probable PGD METHODS: Eighty adults participating in a randomized controlled trial for depression prevention (mean age [± SD] = 70.4 [6.6]) completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief, every 3 months over a maximum of 15 months. Twenty-four percent (n = 19) of participants lost a spouse to COVID-19; 76% (n = 61) lost a spouse to other causes of death. Adjusted linear regression examined the associations between COVID-19 bereavement and six symptom clusters: yearning and preoccupation, anger and bitterness, shock and disbelief, estrangement from others, hallucinations, and behavior change.<h4>Results</h4>Compared to the non-COVID-19 group, the COVID-19 bereaved group reported greater shock and disbelief, hallucinations of the deceased, and estrangement from others. COVID-19 death was also associated with higher risk for probable prolonged grief disorder (PGD) at 12 months (odds ratio = 4.38, p = 0.027).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 present with specific symptoms of distress and may eventually require clinical care for PGD.The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric PsychiatryRisk for Complicated Grief After the COVID-19 Death of a Marital Partner in Late Life.PMC10922502R01 MH118270Lazzari TKazan JSmagula SFGebara MAKrafty RTReynolds CFRollman BLStahl STfalseRisk for Complicated Grief After the COVID-19 Death of a Marital Partner in Late Life.<h4>Objective</h4>To identify 1) complicated grief symptom clusters among acutely-bereaved older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 and 2) if spousal death due to COVID-19 increased risk of developing probable PGD METHODS: Eighty adults participating in a randomized controlled trial for depression prevention (mean age [± SD] = 70.4 [6.6]) completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief, every 3 months over a maximum of 15 months. Twenty-four percent (n = 19) of participants lost a spouse to COVID-19; 76% (n = 61) lost a spouse to other causes of death. Adjusted linear regression examined the associations between COVID-19 bereavement and six symptom clusters: yearning and preoccupation, anger and bitterness, shock and disbelief, estrangement from others, hallucinations, and behavior change.<h4>Results</h4>Compared to the non-COVID-19 group, the COVID-19 bereaved group reported greater shock and disbelief, hallucinations of the deceased, and estrangement from others. COVID-19 death was also associated with higher risk for probable prolonged grief disorder (PGD) at 12 months (odds ratio = 4.38, p = 0.027).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Older adults who have lost a spouse to COVID-19 present with specific symptoms of distress and may eventually require clinical care for PGD.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2026-04-08T19:52:32.392Z2025-04-19T21:16:36.659ZS-EPMC109225023796816010.1016/j.jagp.2023.10.019