The Mediating Role of Negative Grief-Related Cognitions in Prolonged Grief Treatment: A Systematic Review

Lange, Stella Dana (2024) The Mediating Role of Negative Grief-Related Cognitions in Prolonged Grief Treatment: A Systematic Review. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Most bereaved individuals recover from loss without professional help; however, about 10% develop prolonged grief (PG). PG is characterized by severe grief that impairs social and daily functioning for at least six months (ICD-11) or 12 months (DSM-5-TR). Since current PG treatments only achieve moderate treatment effects, this study aims to clarify the role of negative grief-related cognitions (NGCs) in treating PG treatments. According to the Cognitive-Behavioral Model (CBM), the interplay of core processes and background variables is relevant in developing and maintaining PG (Boelen et al., 2006). This systematic review aims to elucidate if NGCs mediate PG treatment effectiveness on PG symptoms. The systematic review, pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023471254), included English peer-reviewed articles published after 1995, samples of bereaved adults, validated measures for NGCs and PG, and preferably randomized controlled trials. In September 2023, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were searched for articles, identifying eight studies with 758 participants meeting the criteria to address the research question. The findings indicate that NGCs significantly mediate PG treatment effects on PG symptoms. Specifically, treatments focused on reducing NGCs (e.g., cognitive restructuring) effectively reduced both NGCs and PG symptoms. These findings support the CBM but suggest further clarification of the role of specific types of NGCs and their interplay with core processes and background variables in treating PG. Therapists should include targeting NGCs in PG treatments, as they seem strongly related to better treatment outcomes. Keywords: Negative Grief-related Cognitions, Prolonged Grief, Treatment, Mediation

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Eisma, M.C.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology (FP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2025 10:35
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2025 10:35
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4626

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