Toward an integrated understanding of traumatic grief

The thesis reveals that almost half (49%) of bereaved families develop persistent complex grief disorder after traumatic losses. This is 5 times higher than for bereaved families after non-traumatic losses. This population is also more likely to experience a combination of persistent complex grief and post-traumatic stress. 65% of patients presenting to a psychotrauma clinic who have experienced a death suffer from persistent complex grief in addition to post-traumatic stress. Treatment focusing on grief as well as post-traumatic stress is effective. Even in a refugee population with multiple post-migration stressors.  

Interestingly, among Balinese survivors of road traffic fatalities, persistent complex grief disorder PTSD, and depressive disorder appear to be surprisingly infrequent, compared with other countries. This suggests that cultural, social, and religious factors may influence the development of psychopathology. 

Focus on symptoms in the case of complex issues 

In this thesis, Djelantik has shown that in the case of complex issues, such as co-morbidity of psychological symptoms in bereaved families, it may be more useful to focus on symptoms rather than on the psychological disorders as a whole. Professionals and researchers should pay more attention to persistent complex grief symptoms when working with people who have experienced trauma and loss.