The centrality of a loss-event: Patterns, correlates, and predictive value

Abstract

Background and objectives: Evidence shows that the centrality of a lossevent maintains emotional distress following loss. Aims of the current study were to examine (i) if subgroups of bereaved people can be distinguished based on their endorsement of different manifestations of loss-centrality, (ii) if subgroup membership was associated with socio-demographic and loss-related variables, and (iii) the linkage of subgroup membership with symptom-levels of prolonged grief (PG), posttraumatic stress (PTS), and depression assessed concurrently and 6 months later. Methods: Three-hundred ninety-eight bereaved people completed the 7item Centrality of Event Scale, with their loss as anchor-event and completed symptom-measures concurrently and 6 months later. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identity profiles of loss-centrality. Results: LPA revealed a three-profile solution representing low, average, and high centrality classes, respectively. The death of a partner and younger age increased the likelihood of membership of classes evidencing stronger centrality. Membership of the low centrality class was associated with lower concurrent PG, PTS, and depression; membership of the high centrality class predicted elevated PG 6 months later, beyond baseline PG. Conclusions: Subgroups of loss-centrality were distinguished by increasing endorsement of all (rather than some) manifestations of loss-centrality. Clinical implications are discussed.

The Dutch 20 Item Centrality of Event Scale

“…These results confirm our hypothesis and replicate the findings with the abbreviated Dutch CES (Vermeulen et al, 2020). It also adds to the growing body of research questioning the direct relation between event centrality and depression (Janssen et al, 2015; Newby & Moulds, 2011), suggesting that event centrality is more typically related to PTSD, or, at least, related to specific traumatic experiences (e.g., grief; Boelen, 2021). Our results showed that individuals who reported a DSM-5 trauma A-criterion event had higher levels of event centrality than individuals without a history of trauma, although only a small to medium effect size was found.…”

Event centrality and conflict-related sexual violence: A new application of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES)

“…Greater centrality of traumatic memories has been found to positively correlate with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Berntsen and Rubin, 2006: 228; see also Boals and Ruggero, 2016; Gehrt et al, 2018). The concept of event centrality has been explored and discussed in a wide range of contexts (see, for example, Boelen, 2021; Cook et al, 2021; Glad et al, 2020; Mordeno et al, 2018). To our knowledge, this interdisciplinary and exploratory article is the first to apply the CES to victims-/survivors 1 of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).…”