Long-lasting grief after losing a loved one in older adults
Official title: Death of a loved one: Prevalence, risk, and protective factors for prolonged grief disorder
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11303447 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are finding how common long-lasting grief is and what factors make it more or less likely for adults aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $814,052 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137201-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11303447 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who have experienced the death of a close loved one are the most relevant candidates for this research.
✕Less likely to help
People under 65 or those who do not have persistent, impairing grief symptoms are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at data from three long-term studies that together include tens of thousands of older adults to find who meets the new diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder. Using information already collected about health, relationships, and life events, the team will identify risk and protective factors that relate to lasting, disabling grief. The work focuses on older adults because they face high rates of bereavement and higher risk for prolonged grief. The goal is to pinpoint changeable factors that could help clinicians recognize, prevent, or better refer people with prolonged grief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors and caregivers spot older adults at risk for prolonged grief earlier and suggest targets for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Smaller studies have found prolonged grief affects a minority of bereaved adults, but applying the new DSM-5-TR criteria across very large, long-running cohorts is a new and important step.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denckla, Christy Ann — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Denckla, Christy Ann
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Understanding prolonged grief disorder in older adults after losing a loved one
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.