Predictors of prolonged grief disorder in Chinese elderly shidu parents: The role of perceived stigma and perceived stress

Introduction

Parents who have lost their only child and over the age of 60 are known as elderly shidu parents. This study aimed to investigate predictors of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) among Chinese elderly shidu parents.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety-eight elderly shidu parents from Shenyang were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a questionnaire including the Prolonged Grief questionnaire-13 (PG-13), the PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scales (CES-D), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Multiple linear regression was used to examine socio-demographic, bereavement-related and perceived stress associated with PGD symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of PGD among Chinese elderly shidu parents was 13.8%. Among the 41 PGD patients, 29, 39, 36 patients had comorbidity of PTSD, depressive symptoms and anxiety, respectively. Perceived stress, higher educational level, lower annual household income, perceived stigma, violent death of the child, and being in debt were associated with severer PGD symptoms.

Discussion

The present study revealed the prevalence of PGD and the important role of PGD in diagnosing other mental disorders in Chinese elderly shidu parents. Providing financial help, eliminating social stigma, and stress should be included in PGD prevention among Chinese elderly shidu parents.