The Bereavement Guilt Scale

Omega (Westport). 2017 Jun;75(2):166-183. doi: 10.1177/0030222815612309. Epub 2015 Oct 25.

Abstract

The rationale, development, and validation of the Bereavement Guilt Scale (BGS) are described in this article. The BGS was based on a theoretically developed, multidimensional conceptualization of guilt. Part 1 describes the generation of the item pool, derived from in-depth interviews, and review of the scientific literature. Part 2 details statistical analyses for further item selection (Sample 1, N = 273). Part 3 covers the psychometric properties of the emergent-BGS (Sample 2, N = 600, and Sample 3, N = 479). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a five-factor model fit the data best. Correlations of BGS scores with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, self-forgiveness, and mode of death were consistent with theoretical predictions, supporting the construct validity of the measure. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also supported. Thus, initial testing or examination suggests that the BGS is a valid tool to assess multiple components of bereavement guilt. Further psychometric testing across cultures is recommended.

Keywords: Chinese; bereavement; grief; guilt.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asian People
  • Bereavement*
  • China
  • Female
  • Guilt*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult