Are deaths from COVID-19 associated with higher rates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) than deaths from other causes?

With the COVID-19 pandemic prompting predictions of a grief pandemic, rates and risks for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) warrant further investigation. Data were collected online from 1470 respondents between October 2020 and July 2021. Shorter time since death, deaths of siblings and others, and deaths from accidents and homicides were positively associated with potential risk of probable PGD; deaths of extended family and from dementia were negatively associated with probable PGD. When compared directly to deaths from COVID-19, natural causes of death were associated with lower potential risk of probable PGD, while deaths from unnatural causes were associated with higher potential risk.

Automated summary

This study investigates the risk factors for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that shorter time since death, deaths of siblings and others, and deaths from accidents and homicides are associated with a higher potential risk of probable PGD. On the other hand, deaths of extended family and from dementia are associated with a lower potential risk of probable PGD.