A study of the structure and dynamics of symptoms of PTSD after the loss of a loved one

This article is based on the experience of structural and dynamic analysis of the manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by death of a loved one. On a survey of 53 adult subjects who have lost relatives and friends in the conditions of daily life (i.e., outside of war and emergencies), we show the relationship of the severity of PTSD symptoms with different individual biographical characteristics of grieving persons. We describe the specificity of bereavement depending on gender, age, education and employment status of the subjects, as well as the circumstances of the death of a loved one. The obtained data revealed a "group of special attention", i.e. people most likely and in most severe form prone to the formation of PTSD symptoms with the loss of a loved one. This group covers those who lost a child (regardless of age), women and the elderly. It is also shown that the symptoms of PTSD are particularly high among those with medium educational level and constant work, while those with higher education and unemployed are mourning relatively more safely.

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