Date of Submission

2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Bradley M. Rosenfield, Psy.D.

Second Advisor

David Rubenstein, Psy.D.

Third Advisor

Michael B. Roberts, Psy.D.

Abstract

Bereavement, the emotional pain of losing a loved one, may lead to significant distress and functional impairment, which can negatively impact the relationships, work, and health of those who grieve. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive distortions and prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant and positive relationship between prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, and cognitive distortions, as measured by the Prolonged Grief Scale-Revised (PG-13-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), respectively (Hypothesis 1). It was also hypothesized that cognitive distortions, depression, and anxiety would predict prolonged grief (Hypothesis 2). Participants between the ages of 18 and 85 with at least an eighth-grade reading level who self-reported experiencing bereavement were recruited via the internet. Data from 382 participants showed a significant and positive relationship between cognitive distortions, prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, multiple regression analysis determined that depression and cognitive distortions predicted prolonged grief, with anxiety largely accounted for by depression. Consequently, this study provides evidence for the impact of cognitive distortions and depression on symptom severity in people experiencing prolonged grief. It is hoped that this information will better inform the assessment and treatment of prolonged grief and these commonly comorbid phenomena.

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