Diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder: Cultural Challenges to the DSM-5-TR Criteria

Brianne S. Moore; João P. da Silva; Miguel Farias

doi:10.1007/s11013-025-09940-5

Diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder: Cultural Challenges to the DSM-5-TR Criteria

Brianne S. Moore
, João P. da Silva
, Miguel Farias

Research Centre for Peace and Security

Baylor University
University of Porto
United Arab Emirates University
CCCU GlobalEd

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) in 2022. It proposed that after persisting in an acute manner for more than a year, grief becomes pathological. This article explores cultural challenges to the application of the DSM-5-TR in diagnosing PGD and discusses culturally sensitive approaches to addressing grief pathology. We have identified three key dimensions that present cultural challenges to the PGD diagnosis: duration of mourning, intensity of emotions, and anomalous cognitions. While the DSM-5-TR clarifies that PGD symptoms must exceed contextual norms (Criterion E), here we critically assess the relevance and limitations of PGD from a cultural perspective and discuss the role rituals and traditional healing might play in grief interventions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1504-1516
Number of pages	13
Journal	Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry
Volume	49
Issue number	4
Early online date	19 Aug 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-025-09940-5
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 19 Aug 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Culture
Grief management practices
Grief pathology
Prolonged grief disorder
Traditional healing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health(social science)
Anthropology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Psychiatry and Mental health

Access to Document

10.1007/s11013-025-09940-5

Cite this

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abstract = "Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) in 2022. It proposed that after persisting in an acute manner for more than a year, grief becomes pathological. This article explores cultural challenges to the application of the DSM-5-TR in diagnosing PGD and discusses culturally sensitive approaches to addressing grief pathology. We have identified three key dimensions that present cultural challenges to the PGD diagnosis: duration of mourning, intensity of emotions, and anomalous cognitions. While the DSM-5-TR clarifies that PGD symptoms must exceed contextual norms (Criterion E), here we critically assess the relevance and limitations of PGD from a cultural perspective and discuss the role rituals and traditional healing might play in grief interventions.",

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AU - da Silva, João P.

AU - Farias, Miguel

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

PY - 2025/8/19

Y1 - 2025/8/19

N2 - Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) in 2022. It proposed that after persisting in an acute manner for more than a year, grief becomes pathological. This article explores cultural challenges to the application of the DSM-5-TR in diagnosing PGD and discusses culturally sensitive approaches to addressing grief pathology. We have identified three key dimensions that present cultural challenges to the PGD diagnosis: duration of mourning, intensity of emotions, and anomalous cognitions. While the DSM-5-TR clarifies that PGD symptoms must exceed contextual norms (Criterion E), here we critically assess the relevance and limitations of PGD from a cultural perspective and discuss the role rituals and traditional healing might play in grief interventions.

AB - Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) in 2022. It proposed that after persisting in an acute manner for more than a year, grief becomes pathological. This article explores cultural challenges to the application of the DSM-5-TR in diagnosing PGD and discusses culturally sensitive approaches to addressing grief pathology. We have identified three key dimensions that present cultural challenges to the PGD diagnosis: duration of mourning, intensity of emotions, and anomalous cognitions. While the DSM-5-TR clarifies that PGD symptoms must exceed contextual norms (Criterion E), here we critically assess the relevance and limitations of PGD from a cultural perspective and discuss the role rituals and traditional healing might play in grief interventions.

KW - Culture

KW - Grief management practices

KW - Grief pathology

KW - Prolonged grief disorder

KW - Traditional healing

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Diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder: Cultural Challenges to the DSM-5-TR Criteria

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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