Examining the Basic Assumption of Psychoanalytic Theory Regarding Normal and Abnormal Grief: Roles of Unfinished Businesses and Bereavement Related Guilt.

To date, several theoretical models have been proposed to explain how the expected and natural grief processes turns into psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of empirical research examining the basic assumption of psychoanalytic theory regarding pre-death conflict and bereavement related guilt. Accordingly, the current study aimed to investigate the mediator role of bereavement related guilt in the relationship between the pre-death conflict and maladaptive grief process. The sample consisted of 447 bereaved adults who lost a loved one due to death in the last 5 years. The Unfinished Business in Bereavement (UBBS), Bereavement Guilt Scale (BGS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13) scales were administered. The results indicated that the UBBS scores were positively correlated with both BDI and PG-13 scores, and BGS scores mediated these relationships. Obtained findings were discussed in relation to psychoanalytic theory and existing studies in the grief literature.

Validity and Reliability Study of Turkish Forms of the Quality of Relationships Inventory-Bereavement Version and the Bereavement Guilt Scale. / Iliski Niteligi Ölçegi­Yas Versiyonu ile Yas ve Suçluluk Ölçegi Türkçe Formu'nun Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalismalari.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Turkish forms (TR) of the Quality of Relationships Inventory-Bereavement Version (QRI-B) and the Bereavement Guilt Scale (BGS). METHOD: The sample consisted of 447 bereaved adults who lost a loved one due to death at least 6 months ago and within the past 5 years. Participants completed the QRI-B, BGS, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Prolonged Grief Inventory (PG-13), The Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory (GMRI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS) ve Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS). RESULTS: Results of the explanatory factor analysis showed a good fit between the BGS-TR and the original form of BGS consisting of a 5-factor and 14 items. Besides, the QRI-B-TR showed a similar fit with the original QRI-B consisting of a 2-factor and 13 items, except for item 1. The QRI-B-TR and BGS-TR had positive correlations with the PGI and BDI, and negative correlations with the RSS, LSS, and GMRI-growth subscale. These correlations supported the convergent validity. After controlling for demographic variables, the subscales of the QRI-B-TR and BGS-TR explained 49% of the variance in prolonged grief symptoms. Internal consistency values of the total scale and the subscales for both instruments ranged between 0.70 and 0.94. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study demonstrated that the Turkish versions of the QRI-B-TR and BGS-TR were reliable and valid psychometric tools. Additionally, it was shown that quality of pre-death relation and grief related guilt were strong predictors of prolonged grief symptoms.