Factors associated with outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy for complicated grief: a preliminary study.
Complicated grief (CG), also called prolonged grief disorder, is a debilitating condition that can develop following a loss. There is growing evidence that cognitive-behavioural interventions are efficacious in the treatment of CG. The present preliminary study used data from 43 patients with CG who were randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioural therapy in an earlier treatment trial to explore (a) predictors of outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy for CG and (b) the relationship between symptom improvement and changes in loss-related negative cognitions and avoidance behaviours. Analyses showed that worse treatment outcome was associated with lower education attainment, loss of a partner/child (instead of some other relative), early treatment discontinuation, less patient motivation and more severe CG symptoms at pre-treatment. As predicted, stronger reduction in CG severity was significantly associated with stronger reductions in negative cognitions and avoidance. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Boelen
Paul A
PA
Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. P.A.Boelen@uu.nl
de Keijser
Jos
J
van den Hout
Marcel A
MA
van den Bout
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001293:Attitude to Death; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009426:Netherlands; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome