Abstract

This study examined the differences in demographics, mental health characteristics, and bereavement- related characteristics among Korean adults who experienced bereavement within 2 years and investigated the variables affecting prolonged grief symptoms in each bereavement type. To this end, data from 1,200 Korean adults who was bereaved within the close in 2 years were used. First, there were differences between the bereavement types in prolonged grief symptoms, mental health characteristics (depression, anxiety, PTSD symptom), and bereavement-related characteristics (unfinished business). Second, it was confirmed that the variables affecting prolonged grief symptoms may appear differently in each bereavement type. Also, higher PTSD symptoms and more unfinished business were associated with more prolonged grief symptoms in all bereavement types. Lastly, it was discussed that there should be differences in intervention according to each type of bereavement as the characteristics of each type of bereavement and the effect on prolonged grief symptoms varied.