Prevalence and risk factors of complicated grief among Sichuan earthquake survivors

Abstract Background Disasters usually involves massive casualties, yet few post-disaster studies explore the prevalence of complicated grief (CG) among survivors. Complicated grief is a distinct psychological disorder, and is associated with impaired physical and psychological functions. Given such gap in the literature and the significance of this topic, this study is hoped to offer more information of complicated grief among survivors who lost their loved ones in disaster. Adopting a large scale survey, the prevalence and risk factors of CG among bereaved survivors one year after the Sichuan earthquake in China were explored. Methods In total 803 bereaved survivors participated the study by filling a questionnaire on measuring CG symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, intrapersonal factors, earthquake related factors, bereavement related factors, and an interpersonal factor. Results There were 71.1% of the participants scored higher than the cutoff point of CG symptoms. Close relationship with the deceased, PTSD symptoms, losing means of livelihood, physical injury, and terrifying experience in the earthquake, were identified to be risk factors for CG. Limitations The study was cross-sectional and the data was collected through a self-reported questionnaire. The sample was recruited from one of the most severely affected counties, thus the generalizability of the results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions A large portion of bereaved earthquake survivors suffered from CG symptoms one year after the disaster. Risk factors found in this study can be used to identify high risk groups, who need special care, support, and bereavement interventions.