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Perinatal Grief Scale
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About Perinatal Grief Scale
Scale Name
Perinatal Grief Scale
Author Details
Lori J. Toedter, Ph.D. and Judith N. Lasker, Ph.D.
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS), developed by Lori J. Toedter and Judith N. Lasker in 1988, is a 33-item self-administered questionnaire designed to measure grief reactions following perinatal loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death). Published in Research in Nursing & Health (1988), the PGS assesses intensity of grief across three subscales: Active Grief (11 items, e.g., sadness, missing the baby), Difficulty Coping (11 items, e.g., social withdrawal, work impairment), and Despair (11 items, e.g., hopelessness, worthlessness). Items use a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree to 5 = strongly disagree), with total scores ranging from 33–165 (higher = more intense grief). Cutoffs: ≥91 indicates intense grief requiring intervention.
The PGS was validated with ~400 bereaved parents (mean age ≈ 25–40 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), correlating with depression measures (r ≈ 0.60–0.80). It takes ~10 minutes to complete and is used in bereavement counseling, obstetrics, and psychology to assess grief and guide support.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the PGS from Toedter & Lasker (1988) or authorized sources, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (bereaved parents post-perinatal loss) that the questionnaire assesses grief reactions, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 33-item self-report scale in clinical or bereavement support settings, rating current feelings on a 5-point scale.
- Estimated completion time is ~10 minutes.
- Ensure a sensitive, supportive environment; provide bereavement resources (e.g., counseling) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The PGS demonstrates strong psychometric properties (Toedter & Lasker, 1988). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92 overall, 0.89–0.95 subscales, N ≈ 400). Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.75–0.85 over 1–2 months). Convergent validity is supported by correlations with depression scales (r ≈ 0.60–0.80) and bereavement measures. Discriminant validity is evidenced by differentiation from normal grief. Factor analysis confirms the three-subscale structure, supporting construct validity. The PGS reliably assesses perinatal grief. Pairing with the Beck Depression Inventory or Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
33-Items
Reference
Toedter, L. J., Lasker, J. N., & Alhadeff, J. M. (1988). The perinatal grief scale: Development and initial validation. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 58(3), 435-449.
Lasker, J. N., & Toedter, L. J. (1991). Acute versus chronic grief: The case of pregnancy loss. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 61(4), 510-522.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PGS measure?
It measures intensity of grief following perinatal loss across active grief, coping difficulty, and despair.
Who is the target population?
Bereaved parents post-miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 10 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses grief to guide bereavement counseling.
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