Understanding prolonged grief disorder in older adults after losing a loved one
Official title: Death of a loved one: Prevalence, risk, and protective factors for prolonged grief disorder
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11137732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how common prolonged grief disorder is among older adults who have lost someone they love, and it aims to find out what helps some people cope better than others, so we can improve support and treatment for those who are struggling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | 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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $703,594 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137201-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above, who have recently lost a loved one.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced the death of a loved one or are under the age of 65 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the prevalence and risk factors associated with prolonged grief disorder (PGD) among older adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. By utilizing data from three extensive longitudinal studies, the project aims to identify how common PGD is and what factors may protect against or contribute to its development. The research will also focus on improving the recognition and treatment of PGD to enhance health outcomes for affected individuals. This is particularly important as older adults are at a higher risk for experiencing significant grief-related issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and treatment strategies for prolonged grief disorder, ultimately improving the mental health and well-being of older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying and treating grief-related disorders, but this study aims to fill a critical gap in understanding PGD specifically among older adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denckla, Christy Ann — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Denckla, Christy Ann
Related research
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Long-lasting grief after losing a loved one in older adults
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Accelerated Resolution Therapy for grief in older caregivers
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Finding Meaning After Losing a Child to Cancer
This project offers a special type of grief support called Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy to parents who have lost a child to cancer, helping them cope with their profound loss.
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.