Holly Prigerson and colleagues tested the psychometric validity of criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD) to enhance the detection and care of bereaved individuals at heightened risk of persistent distress and dysfunction.

This chapter will begin with an evaluation of recent research that has accumulated about traumatic grief (TG) symptomatology. More specifically, the available evidence will be reviewed to determine whether it satisfies requirements for the establishment of TG as a distinct clinical entity. Following this review, we will discuss some advantages and disadvantages of developing standardized criteria for TG. Given our belief that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, we will then describe the logic behind the consensus criteria for TG proposed by a panel of experts. Results of a preliminary test of the proposed criteria set for TG will be reported, directions for their further refinement will be discussed, and assessment tools for TG presented. We will conclude by proposing ways to distinguish ~~

Preliminary analyses suggest the consensus criteria for traumatic grief have satisfactory operating characteristics, and point to directions for further refinement of the criteria set.

The results suggest that there are gender differences in the levels of psychological symptoms resulting from bereavement and in their effects on subsequent mental and physical health for widows and widowers.