Aim

1)     Contribute to the epidemiological knowledge about natural and complicated grief reactions.

2)      Contribute with research about evidence-based intervention methods for different types of complicated grief reactions.

Our epidemiological research mainly focuses on characteristics of natural grief reactions in the loss of a loved one. We aim to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for different types of complicated grief reactions with a particular focus on the new diagnosis, Prolonged Grief Disorder, which in 2022 will be implemented worldwide concurrently with the diagnostic manual ICD-11.

Our intervention research aims to investigate effective treatment formats for complicated grief reactions such as bereavement-related anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and prolonged grief disorder. Additionally, the purpose is to develop, test, and implement new evidence-based treatment methods for complicated grief reactions, accomplished by different research methods such as meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials.

To achieve these aims, the unit uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as theory development and presentation of the gained knowledge to the public.