Prolonged Grief-13 (PG-13)
A 13-item scale that assesses prolonged grief disorder on the basis of DSM/ICD criteria.
In one minute
How it works in 3 steps
- You respond: You mark items about longing, acceptance and functioning related to the loss.
- Duration is considered: The time since the loss and the persistence of symptoms are weighed together.
- It is interpreted: The result is considered together with the context of your life.
Who it informs
When professional support helps
What does the PG-13 measure?
Grief is a natural and deeply personal process. This scale assesses whether part of that grief is lasting far longer than expected and whether it is markedly affecting daily life, relationships or responsibilities.
If the result is high, it suggests that support for the grieving process may be helpful. This is not about forgetting the loss, but about working towards a renewed sense of balance with it.
How is it scored?
Items are marked and summed; the time elapsed since the loss is also taken into account. A score above a certain threshold prompts a more detailed assessment.
- Items
- 13
- Score range
- 0–65
- Administration
- Self / observer report
What do the score bands mean?
The ranges below are a general frame. No band makes a diagnosis on its own; a result only becomes meaningful when a clinical psychologist interprets it alongside your life story.
| Score | General interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–25 | Prolonged grief unlikely |
| 26–65 | Risk of prolonged grief disorder |
Limitation: It is a screening tool; on its own it does not distinguish ordinary grief from prolonged grief. The time since the loss and cultural mourning practices are taken into account in interpretation.
Psychometrics and source
Developed by Prigerson and colleagues to assess the criteria for prolonged grief disorder; it is one of the field's core diagnosis-oriented instruments.
Original source: Prigerson, H.G. et al. (2009). PG-13.
How is this scale used at Mete Psikoloji?
At Mete Psikoloji, when supporting a grieving process, this scale can be used to understand how that process is unfolding and to track change over time, with results kept in your client portal for online and in-person work alike.
Related reading
Did your result give you pause?
A scale is only a starting point. By planning an assessment session with our clinical psychologists, you can consider your result alongside the context of your life.