ICD-11 and -5-TR prolonged grief symptoms and quality of life: A criterion validity test.

Objective: Two similar but distinct versions of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) have recently been included in the International Classification of Diseases eleventh edition (ICD-11) and the - fifth edition, Text-Revision (-5-TR). This study provides a criterion validity test of both new criteria sets of PGD, by examining concurrent and longitudinal associations of ICD-11 and -5-TR prolonged grief symptoms with quality of life (QOL).

Methods: Bereaved adults completed a survey assessing ICD-11 and -5-TR prolonged grief symptoms, depressive symptoms, insomnia symptoms and QOL at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

Results: Both ICD-11 and -5-TR prolonged grief symptoms related negatively to QOL concurrently, while controlling for insomnia and depressive symptoms. ICD-11 prolonged grief symptoms, but not -5-TR prolonged grief symptoms, predicted QOL at 6-month follow-up, while controlling for baseline QOL and insomnia and depression symptoms.

Conclusions: Results provide consistent evidence for the criterion validity of ICD-11 PGD, but mixed evidence for the criterion validity of -5-TR PGD. Study results can help guide attempts to optimize and harmonize future PGD criteria.