Abstract
Previous studies have shown that Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and major depression
are autonomous nosological entities. The present study aims at further analyzing the relationship among them in a sample of
caregivers of patients in Vegetative State (VS) or Minimally Conscious State (MCS). We also investigated factors predicting
the development of PGD. We sampled 40 Caregivers of patients in VS or MCS consecutively admitted to long-term care units.
Caregivers were administered the PG-12, the Depression Questionnaire, the SCID I and the Davidson Trauma Scale. Six participants
(15%) fulfilled the criteria for PGD, 25% (N = 10) for depression and 25% (N = 10) for PTSD. Although significant correlations emerged among symptom domains of the three disorders, no relevant association
was found between a diagnosis of PGD, depression and PTSD. The severity of PTSD symptoms was found to be predictive of PGD.
Clinical implications are discussed.
are autonomous nosological entities. The present study aims at further analyzing the relationship among them in a sample of
caregivers of patients in Vegetative State (VS) or Minimally Conscious State (MCS). We also investigated factors predicting
the development of PGD. We sampled 40 Caregivers of patients in VS or MCS consecutively admitted to long-term care units.
Caregivers were administered the PG-12, the Depression Questionnaire, the SCID I and the Davidson Trauma Scale. Six participants
(15%) fulfilled the criteria for PGD, 25% (N = 10) for depression and 25% (N = 10) for PTSD. Although significant correlations emerged among symptom domains of the three disorders, no relevant association
was found between a diagnosis of PGD, depression and PTSD. The severity of PTSD symptoms was found to be predictive of PGD.
Clinical implications are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11126-011-9183-1
- Authors
- Chiara Guarnerio, Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Gruppo La Villa Institute, Via Mazzini 10, Guanzate, CO, Italy
- Antonio Prunas, Department of Psychology, Milan-Bicocca State University, Edificio U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Irene Della Fontana, Department of Psychology, Milan-Bicocca State University, Edificio U6, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Paola Chiambretto, Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Vitaresidence, Guanzate, CO, Italy
- Journal Psychiatric Quarterly
- Online ISSN 1573-6709
- Print ISSN 0033-2720