Validation of a french assessment of prolonged grief (PG-13-R): Age-by-gender differences in prolonged grief symptoms

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a persistent form of grief associated with substantial functional impairment. The PG-13-Revised (PG-13-R), aligned with DSM-5-TR criteria, has not been validated in French. This study evaluated its psychometric properties in bereaved adults (N = 1,066; ≥12 months post-loss; 30-day retest n = 270). Following translation, the PG-13-R demonstrated a unidimensional structure, excellent internal consistency (ω=.92), strong test–retest reliability (ρ=.815, p<.001), and expected associations with symptoms of pathological grief (TGI-SR), post-traumatic stress (PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), distress (K6), and suicidality (SIDAS; ρ=.42-.84). Metric and scalar invariance were supported across gender, age, and circumstances of death, allowing comparisons of PGD symptoms across demographic groups. A significant age × gender interaction (p=.005) indicated heightened PGD symptoms among older women. The French PG-13-R is a valid and reliable instrument for screening and monitoring PGD symptoms. Findings highlight the need for targeted screening and tailored interventions, particularly among older bereaved women, an at-risk subgroup.