The cultural supplement: A new method for assessing culturally relevant prolonged grief disorder symptoms

The new diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is both an opportunity and a challenge for researchers, clinicians, and bereaved individuals. The latest definition of PGD includes a refreshing and novel feature: the cultural caveat, i.e., clinicians must determine that the grief presentation is more severe and of longer duration than would be expected by an individual’s culture and context. Currently, there are no guidelines on how to operationalize the cultural caveat in mental health care settings. Method To respond to this important demand we have developed, piloted, and tested the cultural supplement module of the International Prolonged Grief Disorder scale (IPGDS). The cultural supplement aims to provide clinicians with a catalogue of culturally relevant symptoms of grief that indicate probable PGD alongside a simple framework for cultural adaptation for use in specific clinical settings. Results In this short report we outline the rationale and aim of the cultural supplement and provide a summary of our latest validation studies of the IPGDS with bereaved German-speaking, Chinese and Swiss migrant individuals. We also provide a step-by-step framework for adaptation of the cultural supplement that clinicians and researchers may use when working with different cultural groups. Conclusion To date, this is the first PGD questionnaire based on the ICD-11, and the first to include a cultural supplement that can be adapted to different contexts and groups. This cultural supplement will provide clinicians and researchers an easy-to-use assessment tool with the aim to improve the global applicability of the ICD-11 PGD definition

Improving Adherence to Web-Based and Mobile Technologies for People with Psychosis:Systematic review of New Potential Predictors of Adherence

Background: Despite the boom in new technologically based interventions for people with psychosis, recent studies suggest medium to low rates of adherence to these types of interventions. The benefits will be limited if only a minority of service users adhere and engage; if specific predictors of adherence can be identified then technologies can be adapted to increase the service user benefits. Objective: The study aimed to present a systematic review of rates of adherence, dropout, and approaches to analyzing adherence to newly developed mobile and Web-based interventions for people with psychosis. Specific predictors of adherence were also explored. Methods: Using keywords (Internet or online or Web-based or website or mobile) AND (bipolar disorder or manic depression or manic depressive illness or manic-depressive psychosis or psychosis or schizophr* or psychotic), the following databases were searched: OVID including MedLine, EMBASE and PsychInfo, Pubmed and Web of Science. The objectives and inclusion criteria for suitable studies were defined following PICOS (population: people with psychosis; intervention: mobile or Internet-based technology; comparison group: no comparison group specified; outcomes: measures of adherence; study design: randomized controlled trials (RCT), feasibility studies, and observational studies) criteria. In addition to measurement and analysis of adherence, two theoretically proposed predictors of adherence were examined: (1) level of support from a clinician or researcher throughout the study, and (2) level of service user involvement in the app or intervention development. We provide a narrative synthesis of the findings and followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews. Results: Of the 20 studies that reported a measure of adherence and a rate of dropout, 5 of these conducted statistical analyses to determine predictors of dropout, 6 analyzed the effects of specific adherence predictors (eg, symptom severity or type of technological interface) on the effects of the intervention, 4 administered poststudy feedback questionnaires to assess continued use of the intervention, and 2 studies evaluated the effects of different types of interventions on adherence. Overall, the percentage of participants adhering to interventions ranged from 28-100% with a mean of 83%. Adherence was greater in studies with higher levels of social support and service user involvement in the development of the intervention. Studies of shorter duration also had higher rates of adherence. Conclusions: Adherence to mobile and Web-based interventions was robust across most studies. Although 2 studies found specific predictors of nonadherence (male gender and younger age), most did not specifically analyze predictors. The duration of the study may be an important predictor of adherence. Future studies should consider reporting a universal measure of adherence and aim to conduct complex analyses on predictors of adherence such as level of social presence and service user involvementpublishersversionPeer reviewe

Item Response Model Validation of the German ICD-11 International Trauma Questionnaire for PTSD and CPTSD

BACKGROUND: In the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the complex variant (CPTSD) were newly conceptualised. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) was developed as a brief self-report measure to screen for both disorders. The English original version has been rigorously tested and presents convincing psychometric properties. The aim of the current study was to validate the German version by means of item response theory (IRT). METHOD: This is a secondary analysis of a representative, trauma-exposed adult sample from the German general population (N = 500). 1- and 2-parameter logistic IRT models (i.e. examination on an item level), diagnostic rates and confirmatory factor analyses were calculated. RESULTS: All items showed good model fit and acceptable to good performance aligning with the items of the English original except for item C1 (Long time to calm down) which had a high endorsement rate and a low discriminatory power yielding low information gain. CPTSD diagnostic rate of 3.2% was lower than in comparable literature. Confirmatory factor analysis deemed the six first-order, two second-order factors model superior. CONCLUSION: Measurement and factorial validity of the German version of the ITQ was confirmed. The German translation matches the English original in most psychometric properties and can thus be used for research and clinical practice

Rapid systematic review of psychological symptoms in health care workers COVID-19

Background: Worldwide, health care professionals are facing unprecedented stress levels due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A rapid systematic review of peer-reviewed studies examining psychological symptoms in HCW working during COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. 13,999 participants were included. Results: After 3408 studies were screened for inclusion, 10 were included in the final analysis. About half of HCW presented with possible PTSD (i.e. scored above a clinical cutoff). Limitations: An update of the search should be conducted. Conclusions: These initial studies suggest a high rate of possible PTSD diagnosis in frontline HCW

Culturally sensitive grief interventions: a scoping review protocol

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to culturally sensitive interventions for bereaved individuals. A particular aim is to inform future research on the development of grief interventions. Introduction: Prolonged grief disorder is associated with a range of negative psychosocial consequences, making treatment crucial for affected individuals. Culture plays a large role in the expression of grief, mourning rituals and practices or the meaning of and beliefs about death. Although there is growing interest in culturally sensitive interventions for grief, the current literature lacks a comprehensive synthesis of evidence. A scoping review is considered appropriate to fill this gap. Inclusion criteria: This review will include sources with participants having experienced bereavement following the loss of a loved one and having taken part in a culturally sensitive psychosocial grief intervention. Studies conducted in non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) contexts or studies targeting a cultural or subcultural group outside the majority group (regarding age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) will be included. Methods: This review will be conducted following the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Searches will be conducted in 11 databases (Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Sociological Abstracts, IBSS, PTSDpubs, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SocINDEX and Web of Science). Limits include language (English and German) and publication date (from 2000). The two-step screening process (titles and abstracts, full text) will be piloted, data extracted and collated. Results from the data extraction will be presented in a narrative summary and tabular form

The New ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder Guidelines in Japan: Findings and Implications from Key Informant Interviews

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a new mental health disorder, recently introduced in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), World Health Organization Classification of Diseases (WHO). The new ICD-11 guidelines reflect an emerging wave of interest in the global applicability of mental disorders. However, the selection of diagnostic core features in different cultural contexts has yet to be determined. Currently, there is debate in the field over the global applicability of these guidelines. Using semi-structured interviews with 14 key informants, we explored the acceptability of ICD-11 guidelines for PGD according to Japanese health professionals as key informants. The interviews revealed symptoms of grief possibly missing in the ICD-11 PGD guidelines including somatization and concepts such as hole in the heart. Additionally, sociocultural barriers such as stigma and beliefs about the social desirability of emotions may challenge patients' and clinicians' acceptance of the new ICD-11 criteria

Responding to the new International Classification of Diseases-11 prolonged grief disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: a new bereavement network and three-tiered model of care

The field of bereavement research and care is at a tipping point. The introduction of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) has ignited clinical interest in this new disorder, along with debate over challenges in validating and implementing these new criteria. At the same time, the global COVID-19 pandemic has launched several local and international efforts to provide urgent support and comfort for individuals and communities suffering from grief. Recently, grief experts have called for a collective response to these complicated bereavements and possible increase in PGD due to COVID-19. Here we outline a new European network that aims to unite a community of grief researchers and clinicians to provide accessible, evidence-based support particularly during times of unprecedent crisis. The Bereavement Network Europe (BNE) has been developed with two main aims. Firstly, to develop expert agreed, internationally acceptable guidelines for bereavement care through a three-tiered approach. Secondly, to provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to share knowledge, collaborate, and develop consensus protocols to facilitate the introduction of PGD to diverse stakeholders. This article outlines the current status and aims of the BNE along with the plans for upcoming network initiatives and the three-tiered bereavement care guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Bereavement network Europe; COVID-19; ICD-11; Prolonged grief disorder; Three-tiered bereavement care

Culturally sensitive grief treatment and support: A scoping review

Objective The goal of this scoping review was to assess the scope and nature of evidence concerning culturally sensitive grief treatment and support interventions, aiming to provide valuable insights for future research on grief intervention development. Introduction Prolonged grief disorder (PGD), associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes, requires treatment. The norms of a person’s culture influence grief expression, mourning rituals, and perspectives on death. Despite increasing interest in culturally sensitive grief interventions, a comprehensive synthesis of evidence is lacking. A scoping review was deemed fitting to address this gap. Inclusion criteria This review included studies featuring participants experiencing clinically relevant grief and engaged in culturally sensitive psychosocial grief interventions. It included studies conducted in non-WEIRD contexts or those focusing on sociocultural (sub)groups distinct from the majority (in terms of age, religion, sexual orientation, etc). Methods Following JBI methodology for scoping reviews, 13 databases were searched (Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Sociological Abstracts, IBSS, PTSDpubs, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PSYNDEX, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SocINDEX, and Web of Science). Limits included language (English and German), peer-reviewed articles and publication date (from 2000). The two-step screening process (titles and abstracts, full text) was piloted, and data were extracted and collated. Results Eighteen studies were included, displaying diversity in geographical location, methodology, and target populations. Interventions targeted various forms of clinically relevant grief, lost relationships, and sociocultural groups. Cultural adaptation processes varied, with seven studies using a top-down approach. Sources of information for formative research involved theoretical models and empirical data, while local experts and qualitative research (e.g., key informant interviews) informed cultural adaptation. Outcome measures were diverse, with 15 studies showing significant pre-post intervention changes, while two did not. Conclusions The review highlighted the emerging significance of culturally sensitive interventions for PGD, emphasizing the need for standardized approaches and further research. By shedding light on gaps and providing recommendations, it offers insights for future researchers in this field

The Assessment of Grief in Refugees and Post-conflict Survivors: A Narrative Review of Etic and Emic Research

Background: Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a new mental health disorder that will be recognized by the World Health Organization’s disorder classification, the ICD-11, in 2018. Current assessment measures of PGD are largely based on North American and European conceptualizations of grief (etic i.e., from the perspective of the observer). However, research is emerging from communities outside of the Global North, in particular, conflict-exposed communities, exploring local models (emic i.e., from within the cultural group), assessment measures and symptoms of grief. Several reviews have found that refugees have higher rates of mental illness, defined by etic standards as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders and psychotic symptoms. Yet, presently there are no reviews documenting the assessment of PGD in refugees and post conflict survivors.Method: This narrative review will provide an overview of studies that assess grief in refugees to (1) identify current assessment measures of grief in refugees (i.e., type and frequency of questionnaires used, whether Global North-based, etic, or locally developed, emic, and the level of cultural adaptation) and (2) to document the variety and rate of grief symptoms identified with Global North standard measures and/or local measures (i.e., the endorsement of standard symptom items and the identification of culturally specific symptoms of grief).Results: This review revealed 24 studies that assessed disordered grief in refugee or post conflict samples. Studies were heterogeneous in their assessment methods; the majority (n = 17) used an etic approach, four used a combined etic/emic approach, and three used a predominantly emic approach. The rate of disordered grief was high depending on cultural adaptation approach (31–76%) and when standard etic measures were used the disordered grief rate was 32%.Conclusion: These findings will help to guide future studies to provide accurate assessment of grief in refugee and post conflict populations and has implications for improving cultural knowledge in clinical practice