Prolonged grief and its approaches

Abstract

Prolonged grief has gained particular relevance in recent years within the clinical and scientific fields due to its recent inclusion in the main international diagnostic classification systems. These classifications define prolonged grief as a condition characterized by a persistent and debilitating response to the loss of a significant person, which lasts for at least 6–12 months and manifests as an intense longing or persistent preoccupation with the deceased person, accompanied by intense emotional pain. This disorder causes significant dysfunction at personal, family, social, educational, and occupational levels, among other important areas of life^1,2.

Grief is a diverse process whose evolution depends largely on the type of loss and the context in which it occurs. Recent evidence indicates that certain experiences, such as perinatal losses, the death of a spouse in old age, sudden deaths, and losses linked to prolonged caregiving processes (cancer or dementia), are associated with a higher risk of developing prolonged grief, depression, and high psychological distress3. In these contexts, factors such as isolation, prior stress burden, and the presence of depressive symptoms emerge as particularly relevant elements^3,4.

Despite the growing volume of studies, the literature shows notable conceptual and methodological heterogeneity, as well as a lack of validated tools that allow results to be extrapolated. Systematic reviews and clinical trials support the efficacy of structured psychological treatments, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy. Complementarily, mindfulness-based interventions and online programs guided by professionals have shown promising results, expanding access to care. However, further research is needed in this field to consolidate the findings obtained in various studies seeking new therapeutic alternatives for these patients.

The objective of this section is to review and summarize some of the most relevant works published in the last five years focusing on prolonged grief and its approaches. To this end, brief summaries of selected articles are presented, including their title, a synthesis of the main findings, and the corresponding bibliographic reference.