Boelen, P. A., Keijser, J. de, Hout, M. A. van den, & Bout, J. van den (in press). Factors associated with outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy for Complicated Grief: A preliminary study. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy.

Abstract

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. .