Determinants and Predictors of Grief Severity and Persistence: The Rotterdam Study

OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore correlates and predictors of bereavement severity and persistence (triggered by "loss of a loved one"; referent group partner loss) in the Rotterdam cohort. METHOD We used linear regression to examine factors associated with grief severity using a cross-sectional analysis and logistic regression to determine prospective associations. RESULTS Cross-sectionaly, females, child-lost, higher depressive symptoms, lower education, and difficulties in daily activities were independently associated with a higher bereavement severity. Prospectively (6 years; response rate 71%), the baseline value of the grief severity was the single predictor significantly associated with grief persistence. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that only grief severity is independently associated with grief persistence. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.