The diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder changes the perception of grief - a discourse analysis from a nursing perspective

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to create a foundation on which the profession can begin its professional approach to the diagnosis of grief and what opportunities and limitations this holds from a nursing perspective. Background We are witnessing a historic change in the way grief is practiced in connection with death, as the diagnosis "Prolonged Grief Disorder" appears in the diagnosis manual ICD-11 that appears in the latest version published in 2022. Nurses are considered central actors in the practice of the grief diagnosis. Either in relation to preventive measures or by identifying those suffering from complicated grief by referring them to appropriate services. Method A Foucault-inspired discourse analysis has been prepared, exploring how the expression of grief has changed and which societal conditions have supported the change. Results Pervasive patterns are identified, which are regarded as three discursive strategies; A love discourse, a psychological adaptation discourse and a diagnostic discourse. Conclusion Societal ideals have supported the change in the articulation of grief. Nurses can use the insight into this historical development as well as the critical view built on a social constructivist point of view as a foundation for positioning themselves scientifically in this field.