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Predicting grief intensity after recent perinatal loss.

Authors :
Hutti MH
Myers J
Hall LA
Polivka BJ
White S
Hill J
Kloenne E
Hayden J
Grisanti MM
Source :
Journal of psychosomatic research [J Psychosom Res] 2017 Oct; Vol. 101, pp. 128-134. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Aug 02.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Objective: The Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) was developed for clinical use to identify and predict intense grief and need for follow-up after perinatal loss. This study evaluates the validity of the PGIS via its ability to predict future intense grief based on a PGIS score obtained early after a loss.<br />Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with 103 international, English-speaking women recruited at hospital discharge or via the internet who experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death within the previous 8weeks. Survey data were collected at baseline using the PGIS and the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS). Follow-up data on the PGS were obtained 3months later. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis.<br />Results: Cronbach's alphas were ≥0.70 for both instruments. PGIS factor analysis yielded three factors as predicted, explaining 57.7% of the variance. The optimal cutoff identified for the PGIS was 3.535. No difference was found when the ability of the PGIS to identify intense grief was compared to the PGS (p=0.754). The PGIS was not inferior to the PGS (AUC=0.78, 95% CI 0.68-0.88, p<0.001) in predicting intense grief at the follow-up. A PGIS score≥3.53 at baseline was associated with increased grief intensity at Time 2 (PGS: OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.59-2.34, p<0.001).<br />Conclusions: The PGIS is comparable to the PGS, has a lower response burden, and can reliably and validly predict women who may experience future intense grief associated with perinatal loss.<br /> (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1879-1360
Volume :
101
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of psychosomatic research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28867418
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.07.016