Performance of DSM-5 Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder Criteria in a Community Sample of Bereaved Military Family Members

Abstract

The DSM-5 persistent complex bereavement disorder criteria accurately exclude nonclinical, normative grief, but also exclude nearly half of clinical cases, whereas complicated grief criteria exclude nonclinical cases while identifying more than 90% of clinical cases. The authors conclude that significant modification is needed to improve case identification by DSM-5 persistent complex bereavement disorder diagnostic criteria. Complicated grief criteria are superior in accurately identifying clinically impairing grief.