DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT FORM INVENTORY TO ASSESS GRIEF IN CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA PATIENTS
Abstract
This article describes the derivation of a short-form of the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI), an inventory designed to measure grief in caregivers of persons with progressive dementia. It presents initial reliability and validity data and describes ways to use the inventory both clinically and scientifically. The resulting MM-CGI Short Form, presented here in its entirety, is comprised of 18 items and, like its full-form relative, is self-scoring and yields a Total Grief score and sub-scale scores measuring factors representing Personal Sacrifice Burden, Heartfelt Sadness and Longing, and Worry and Felt Isolation.
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At baseline, the average anticipatory grief score was 80.9 with a standard deviation of 14.9, which is higher than reported in other studies of ADRD caregivers.
“The average anticipatory grief score was 80.9 (SD 14.9), which is higher than reported in other studies of ADRD caregivers (Fowler et al., 2013; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
From Feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-based ACT intervention for caregivers (TACTICs) of adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD): a randomized pilot during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2025) · cites this paper as Marwit & Meuser, 2005
Cites
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“For example, the Caregiver Strain Index is more highly correlated with Factor 1 (Personal Sacrifice Burden) than with Factors 2 or 3, as expected; and Perceived Social Support-Family Questionnaire is more highly correlated with Factor 3 (Worry and Felt Isolation) than with factors 1 or 2, again as expected.”
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“…that pre-death grief, experienced while care-providing, can have major impact on one’s present life (e.g., mood, physical health, productivity, and social relations) and may even affect post-death bereavement and grief resolution (Bass et al., 1991; Mullan, 1992; Robinson-Whelan et al., 2001).”
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Sanders, S., Ott, C. H., Kelber, S. T., & Noonan, P. E. (2008) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481180802138845 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
“The MM-CGI-SF was used to determine the level of grief of the caregivers.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialThe impact of anticipatory grief on caregiver burden in dementia caregivers.
Holley, C. K., & Mast, B. (2009) · The gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnp061 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
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“The MM-CGI-SF allows for a “total grief level” and three subscale scores: “personal sacrifice burden,” “heartfelt sadness and longing,” and “worry and felt isolation” (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
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“Caregiver burden and grief were assessed with the 4-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI; Bedard et al., 2001; Zarit, Anthony, & Boutselis, 1987), the RMBPC (Teri et al., 1992; caregiver reaction to behaviors), and the Marwit Meuser Caregiver Grief Index, Short Form (MMCGI-SF) (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
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“The AG experienced by family dementia caregivers was subsumed under the rubrics of caregiver depression, strain, and/or burden.(5) Over the past twenty years, qualitative and descriptive studies have suggested that AG among caregivers can negatively influence their mood, physical health, productivity, and social relat…”
BackgroundAnticipatory grief of spousal and adult children caregivers of people with dementia
Cheung, D. S. K., Ho, K. H. M., Cheung, T. F., Lam, S. C., & Tse, M. M. Y. (2018) · BMC Palliative Care · doi:10.1186/s12904-018-0376-3 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Large, S., & Slinger, R. (2013) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/1471301213494511 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
“Meuser and Marwit (2001) suggest grief intensity varies depending on the relationship to the person with AD, where adult children caregiver’s grief is most intense in the early and late stages of the disease and spouse’s grief increases linearly.”
BackgroundBurke, L. A., Clark, K. A., Ali, K. S., Gibson, B. W., Smigelsky, M. A., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2015) · Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care · doi:10.1080/15524256.2015.1110071 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
“…emotional dysregulation, and other atypical grief reactions (Gilliland & Fleming, 1998); hopelessness (Mystakidou et al., 2008); lower levels of well-being (Marwit & Meuser, 2002, 2005); lower quality of life (Al-Gamal, 2013); and greater caregiver burden (Garand et al., 2012; Holley & Mast, 2009).”
BackgroundGrief in family carers of people living with dementia: A systematic review
Crawley, S., Sampson, E. L., Moore, K. J., Kupeli, N., & West, E. (2022) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610221002787 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Palliative Care for Patients with Dementia: A National Survey
Torke, A. M., Holtz, L. R., Hui, S., Castelluccio, P., Connor, S., Eaton, M., & Sachs, G. A. (2010) · Journal of The American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03141.x · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Liew, T. M., Tai, B. C., Yap, P., & Koh, G. C.-H. (2019) · Journal of the American Medical Directors Association · doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2018.11.016 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Gilsenan, J., Gorman, C., & Shevlin, M. (2022) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2022.2102138 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“Caregiver Anticipatory Grief – Marwit Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (MM-CGI-SF): The MM-CGI-SF (18-item) was used to assess caregiver grief.”
BackgroundMethodPark, J., Tolea, M. I., Arcay, V., Lopes, Y., & Galvin, J. E. (2018) · Social Work in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/15332985.2018.1526756 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
“…degrees of grief were related to greater likelihood of depressive symptoms, which seems to be in line with previous results (Holley & Mast, 2010; Marwit & Meuser, 2005; Ott et al., 2007) Among the multiple dimensions of social support, emotional, tangible, and affectionate support were…”
BackgroundResultRomero, M. M., Ott, C. H., & Kelber, S. T. (2013) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2013.809031 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“At the baseline predeath assessment, participants used significantly more emotionfocused (M¼ 2.80, SD¼ .46) and problem-focused coping (M¼ 2.80, SD¼ .72) than dysfunctional coping Note: MMCGI-SF¼Marwit and Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory—Short Form; ICG-R¼ Inventory of Complicated Grief— Revised. p< .005.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSupporting Caregivers of Rural Veterans Electronically (SCORE)
Hicken, B. L., Daniel, C. M., Luptak, M., Grant, M., Kilian, S., & Rupper, R. (2016) · The Journal of Rural Health · doi:10.1111/jrh.12195 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
“Participants scoring more than 1 standard deviation above the mean may be at risk for grief complications.(33,34)”
BackgroundMethodGiebel, C., Challis, D., & Montaldi, D. (2016) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/1471301214553614 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
“Anticipatory grief in the context of caring for dementia is a concept that has received increasing attention over the last decade (Garand et al., 2012; Holley & Mast, 2009; Marwit & Meuser, 2005; Noyes et al., 2010; Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff, 1990).”
BackgroundPreloss grief in family members of COVID-19 patients: Recommendations for clinicians and researchers
Singer, J., Spiegel, J. A., & Papa, A. (2020) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000876 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Effectiveness of a Grief Intervention for Caregivers of People With Dementia
Maccourt, P., McLennan, M., Somers, S., & Krawczyk, M. (2017) · Omega · doi:10.1177/0030222816652802 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
“However, there remains relatively little information as to how to address grief associated with caring for those with progressive cognitive decline or dementia (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
BackgroundKaizik, C., Caga, J., Camino, J., O'Connor, C., McKinnon, C., Oyebode, J., Piguet, O., Hodges, J., & Mioshi, E. (2017) · Journal of Alzheimer's Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-160852 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“It is possible, however, that these depressive symptoms are a direct reflection of a lengthy process of anticipatory grief, given the gradual and continuous loss experienced, rather than an episode of depression per se, as shown in previous studies involving carers [29].”
ResultSinger, J. B., Roberts, K. E., McLean, E., Fadalla, C., Coats, T., Rogers, M., Wilson, M. K., Godwin, K., & Lichtenthal, W. G. (2022) · Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1177/02692163221074540 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Sealey, M., O’Connor, M., Aoun, S. M., & Breen, L. J. (2015) · BMC Palliative Care · doi:10.1186/s12904-015-0046-7 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI) [44] received the greatest support, with the short form version [45] deemed unable to capture sufficient information.”
MethodRigby, T., Ashwill, R., Johnson, D. K., & Galvin, J. E. (2019) · Innovation in Aging · doi:10.1093/geroni/igz027 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Pre-death grief in Parkinson's caregivers: a pilot survey-based study.
Carter, J., Lyons, K., Lindauer, A., & Malcom, J. (2012) · Parkinsonism & Related Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2012.06.015 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
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Siow, J. Y. M., Chan, A. W.-M., Østbye, T., Cheng, G. H. ‐., & Malhotra, R. (2016) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnw198 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“Development of shorter version of scales used among caregivers is common, for example, shorter versions of the Zarit Burden Interview (Bédard et al., 2001) and the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
MethodOtt, C. H., Kelber, S., & Blaylock, M. (2010) · Research in Gerontological Nursing · doi:10.3928/19404921-20100302-01 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“The MMCGI-SF is an empirically derived instrument based on spouse and adult child caregiver statements obtained from focus groups.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialPhilipp, R., Kalender, A., Härter, M. C., Bokemeyer, C., Oechsle, K., Koch, U., & Vehling, S. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046351 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Predictors of Anticipatory Grief in Dementia Caregivers
Holley, C. K., & Mast, B. (2010) · Clinical Gerontologist · doi:10.1080/07317111003793443 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“A significant association between AG and caregiver burden has been revealed in a number of studies ( Marwit & Meuser, 2002 ; Marwit & Meuser, 2005 ; Walker & Pomeroy, 1997 ; Holley & Mast, 2009 ).”
BackgroundMeasuring grief in caregivers of persons with acquired brain injury
Marwit, S. J., & Kaye, P. N. (2006) · Brain Injury · doi:10.1080/02699050601082214 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“However, some [31] suggest that grief is one of the primary emotions that drives the secondary reactions of burden, stress, etc.”
BackgroundSelf-citationDehpour, T., & Koffman, J. (2022) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2022.2032599 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
“Furthermore, the MM-CGI-SF showed a significant statistical correlation with other existing scales including the AGS, BDI, GDS-15, CSI, WBS-BN and PSSQ-Fa.”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialRigby, T., Johnson, D. K., Taylor, A., & Galvin, J. E. (2021) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-201326 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“Caregiver grief—The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (CGI) [39] was used to assess caregiver grief.”
What causes grief in dementia caregivers?
Warchoł-Biedermann, K., Mojs, E. H., Gregersen, R., Maibom, K., Millán-Calentí, J. C., & Maseda, A. (2014) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2014.05.013 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“…characteristics so factors affecting grief in America do not have to play an identical role in other countries (Givens, Prigerson, Kiely, Shaffer, & Mitchell, 2011; Kiely et al., 2008; Marwit & Meuser, 2005; McLennon, Bakas, Habermann, & Meuser, 2014; Meuser & Marwit, 2001; Meuser et al., 2004).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialLiew, T. M., Yeap, B. I., Koh, G. C., Gandhi, M., Tan, K. S., Luo, N., & Yap, P. L. K. (2017) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnx097 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory-Short Form (MM-CGI-SF) is the shorter version of MM-CGI, using only the 18 most representative items for ease of administration (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
MethodResultCaregiver Grief in End-Stage Dementia
Sanders, S., Marwit, S. J., Meuser, T., & Harrington, P. (2007) · Social work in health care · doi:10.1300/j010v46n01_04 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Both versions contain directions for self-scoring by the professional on a 5-point Likert scale (Marwit & Meuser, 2002, 2005).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationCoelho, A., Silva, C., & Barbosa, A. (2017) · Palliative and Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951516001000 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“A comparative study between the PG–12 and the Marwit–Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory–Short Form (MM–CGI; Marwit & Meuser, 2005), another self-report measure of predeath grief, one designed specifically for use with dementia caregivers, verified that both of these measures can be utilized reliably…”
ResultMoore, K. J., Crawley, S., Vickerstaff, V., Cooper, C., King, M., & Sampson, E. L. (2020) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610220000289 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“The questionnaires included the MMCGI-SF (Marwit and Meuser, 2005), our primary outcome, along with our indicators of preparation for end of life (described below).”
MethodInfluentialWharton, W., Goldstein, F. C., Tansey, M. G., Brown, A. L., Tharwani, S. D., Verble, D. D., Cintron, A. F., & Kehoe, P. G. (2017) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-161198 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Questionnaires include information pertaining to: (i) medical and medication history; (ii) exercise [40]; (iii) sleep [41]; (iv) nutrition [42]; (v) positive [43, 44] and negative (stress) aspects of caregiving [45-47]; (vi) depression [48]; and (vii) behavior and quality of life of their parent with AD [49, 50].”
BackgroundLewis, M., & Trzinski, A. L. (2006) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481180600853199 · Cited by 22
“…of the literature reveals that most of the research on grief and dementia focuses on perspective of the caregiver (e.g., Adams & Sanders, 2004; Marwit & Meuser, 2005), with only a few authors focusing on the individual with dementia and his or her experience of the grief process (Force, 2004;…”
BackgroundGlick, D. R., Motta, M., Wiegand, D. L.-M., Range, P., Reed, R. M., Verceles, A. C., Shah, N. G., & Netzer, G. (2018) · Intensive and Critical Care Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2018.07.006 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Chan, W. C., Wong, B., Kwok, T., & Ho, F. (2017) · Health & Social Work · doi:10.1093/hsw/hlx022 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Mattos, E. B. T., Oliveira, J. ́. S., & Novelli, M. M. P. C. (2020) · Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia · doi:10.1590/1981-22562020023.200189 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“No contexto da demência, o LA pode se estender por muitos anos enquanto os membros da família testemunham a deterioração no funcionamento cognitivo, social e físico da pessoa afetada e vivenciam perdas em relação ao passado, presente e futuro 27 .”
BackgroundReducing Dementia Grief Through Psychosocial Interventions
Rupp, L., Seidel, K., Penger, S., & Haberstroh, J. (2023) · European Psychologist · doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000501 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Liew, T. M., Yap, P. L. K., Luo, N., Hia, S. B., Koh, G. C., & Tai, B. C. (2018) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-018-0804-5 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“MM-CGI also has a shorter version, the MM-CGI-Short Form (MMCGI-SF), which uses only the 18 most representative items for ease of administration [17].”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialGrief, Mindfulness and Neural Predictors of Improvement in Family Dementia Caregivers
Jain, F. A., Connolly, C. G., Moore, L. C., Leuchter, A. F., Abrams, M., Ben-Yelles, R. W., Chang, S. E., Ramirez Gomez, L. A., Huey, N., Lavretsky, H., et al. (2019) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00155 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
A Brief, 6-Item Scale for Caregiver Grief in Dementia Caregiving
Liew, T. M., & Yap, P. L. K. (2018) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gny161 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“The MM-CGI-SF is the shorter version of MM-CGI, using only the 18 most representative items for ease of administration (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
Exploring how family carers of a person with dementia manage pre‐death grief: A mixed methods study
Moore, K., Crawley, S., Fisher, E., Cooper, C., Vickerstaff, V., & Sampson, E. (2023) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.5867 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Participants completed the 18‐item Marwit‐Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (MMCGI‐SF).(19) Items are rated on a 5‐point Likert scale with a score range from 18 to 90.”
MethodLaranjeira, C., Dixe, M. D. A., Martinho, R., Rijo, R., & Querido, A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.862347 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“In section “Discussion”, the pre-death grief will be assessed by the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short-Form (MM-CGI-SF; Marwit and Meuser, 2005), validated in Portugal by Areia et al.”
MethodA brief measure of predeath grief in dementia caregivers: the Caregiver Grief Questionnaire
Cheng, S., Ma, D. Y., & LAM, L. C. W. (2019) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610219000309 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“It is noteworthy that a short form of theMM-CGI was also developed, with six items in each of the three subscales (Marwit and Meuser, 2005).”
BackgroundKobiske, K. R., Bekhet, A. K., Garnier‐Villarreal, M., & Frenn, M. (2018) · Western Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/0193945918806689 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Welcoming Death: Exploring Pre-Death Grief Experiences of Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia
Hovland, C. A. (2018) · Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care · doi:10.1080/15524256.2018.1508538 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“…are a reaction to perceived losses throughout the caregiving process and in anticipation of the death (Adams & Sanders, 2004; Doka, 2010; Fasse, Sultan, Flahault, Mackinnon, Dolbeault, & Bredart, 2014; Kim, Lucette & Loscalzo, 2013; Marwit & Meuser, 2002; 2005; Moon, 2015; Schultz et al., 2003).”
BackgroundPatient‐ and proxy‐reported quality of life in advanced dementia with Lewy bodies
Armstrong, M. J., LaBarre, B., Sovich, K., Maixner, S. M., Paulson, H., Manning, C. A., Fields, J., Lunde, A., Forsberg, L., Boeve, B., et al. (2024) · Alzheimer's & Dementia · doi:10.1002/alz.13745 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Caregiver Experiences and Burden in Moderate-Advanced Dementia With Lewy Bodies.
Armstrong, M. J., Dai, Y.-F., Sovich, K., LaBarre, B., Paulson, H., Maixner, S. M., Fields, J., Lunde, A., Forsberg, L., Boeve, B., et al. (2024) · Neurology Clinical Practice · doi:10.1212/cpj.0000000000200292 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Caregiving and Traumatic Brain Injury: Coping with Grief and Loss.
Petersen, H., & Sanders, S. (2015) · Health & Social Work · doi:10.1093/hsw/hlv063 · Cited by 14
Caregiving appraisal in family caregivers of older adults: A review study
Farhadi, A., Foroughan, M., Mohammadi, F., Rassouli, M., Sadeghmoghadam, L., Nazari, S., & Sadeghi, N. (2016) · doi:10.21859/sija-110108 · Cited by 14
Fisher, E., Crawley, S., Sampson, E. L., Cooper, C., Jones, R., Anantapong, K., & Moore, K. J. (2022) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/14713012211066674 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“…depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]; Zigmond & Snaith, 1983), grief (Marwit–Meuser Carer Grief Inventory [MMCGI] – short version; Marwit & Meuser, 2005), dementia knowledge (Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale [DKAS]; Annear et al., 2017), dementia severity (Clinical Dementia…”
BackgroundDevelopment and validation of a simple screening tool for caregiver grief in dementia caregiving
Liew, T., Tai, B., Yap, P., & Koh, G. (2019) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-019-1070-x · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Pote, S. C., & Wright, S. L. (2018) · Educational Gerontology · doi:10.1080/03601277.2018.1438085 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory – Short Form (MMCGI-SF) was used to measure anticipatory grief and has been found to have excellent reliability (α = 0.92; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
MethodInfluentialLiew, T. M., Tai, B. C., Wee, S. L., Koh, G. C., & Yap, P. (2020) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/jgs.16717 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Chan, I., Yap, P., Wee, S., & Liew, T. (2019) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.5238 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Sánchez‐Alcón, M., Sánchez‐Ramos, J. L., Garrido‐Fernández, A., Sosa‐Cordobés, E., Ortega‐Galán, Á. M., & Ramos‐Pichardo, J. D. (2023) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.13142 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Trucco, A. P., Khondoker, M. R., Kishita, N., Backhouse, T., Copsey, H., & Mioshi, E. (2024) · Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration · doi:10.1080/21678421.2024.2359559 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Sánchez-Alcón, M., Garrido-Fernández, A., Cano-Rojas, J. M., Sánchez-Ramos, J., & Ramos-Pichardo, J. D. (2024) · Medicina · doi:10.3390/medicina60040643 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The Marwit–Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory-Short Form [18] is a tool used to measure dementia grief in caregivers of people with dementia.”
MethodCarr, A. L., Bilenduke, E., Adolf, E., Kessler, E. R., Arch, J. J., Ranby, K. W., & Kilbourn, K. M. (2023) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951523000196 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“The Marwit–Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (CGI) Short Form consisted of 18 items, and the total score and subscale scores measured factors of personal sacrifice burden, heartfelt sadness and longing, and worry and felt isolation (Marwit and Meuser 2005).”
Jahani, L., Abolhassani, S., Babaee, S., & Omranifard, V. (2022) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-022-00980-5 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Finally, according to the sum of the scores obtained from the three fields, the general level of grief is obtained, which varies from a score of 1 to 90 and a score of 57 is the average level of grief experience and a standard deviation higher than that indicates a high level of grief experience and a standard deviati…”
BackgroundLindauer, A., Messecar, D., McKenzie, G. L., Gibson, A., Wharton, W., Bianchi, A. A., Tarter, R. R., Tadesse, R. T., Boardman, C., Golonka, O., et al. (2021) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.14980 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Theoretical and philosophical assumptions behind the concept of anticipatory grief.
Allard, É., Genest, C., & Legault, A. (2020) · International Journal of Palliative Nursing · doi:10.12968/ijpn.2020.26.2.56 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Respite Utilization and Responses to Loss Among Family Caregivers: Relationship Matters
DeCaporale-Ryan, L. N., Mensie, L. C., & Steffen, A. M. (2013) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2012.654593 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory—Short Form (MM-CGI-SF; Marwit & Meuser, 2005) consists of three distinct subscales (Personal Sacrifice and Burden, Heartfelt Sadness and Longing, and Worry and Felt Isolation) and is based on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialArmstrong, M., Paulson, H., Maixner, S. M., Fields, J., Lunde, A., Boeve, B., Manning, C., Galvin, J., Taylor, A. S., & Li, Z. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047554 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Türk, U., Aydemır, M. Ç., Ozel-Kizil, E. T., & Bozdağ, S. C. (2025) · Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jaclp.2025.04.003 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Bermejo-Gómez, I., Gallego‐Alberto, L., Losada‐Baltar, A., Mérida-Herrera, L., García‐Batalloso, I., & Márquez‐González, M. (2023) · Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología · doi:10.1016/j.regg.2023.05.001 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Exploratory factor analysis of the caregiver grief inventory in a large UK sample of dementia carers
Gilsenan, J., Gorman, C., & Shevlin, M. E. (2020) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2020.1839856 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
McLennon, S. M., Bakas, T., Habermann, B., & Meuser, T. M. (2013) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2013.766657 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“…alpha scores, in spite of the relatively small sample size there was strong evidence for reliability of the MMCGI-SF total scale (0.92) and subscale scores (PSB¼ 0.87, HSL¼ 0.83, WFI¼ 0.74) in this group of AA caregivers, which was similar to others (Marwit and Meuser, 2005; Marwit and Kaye, 2006).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSelf-citationANTICIPATORY GRIEF IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMENTIA CAREGIVING
Holley, C. K. (2009) · doi:10.18297/etd/625 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Scher, C. J., Crawley, S., Cooper, C., Sampson, E. L., & Moore, K. J. (2021) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/14713012211041259 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“We classified the 150 participants from those with the highest to the lowest grief scores on the Marwit– Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
BackgroundResultPerceived Grief Among Caregivers of Patients With Dementia in China
Li, J., Li, Y., & Li, P. (2019) · Clinical Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/1054773819839265 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“The EFA resulted in a three-factor model that was the same as the original scale (personal sacrifice burden, heartfelt longing and sadness, worry and perceived isolation) established by Marwit and Meuser (2005), and the three factors accounted for an acceptable grief variance of 51.314%.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSaban, K. L., Mathews, H. L., Collins, E. G., Hogan, N. S., Tell, D., Bryant, F. B., Pape, T., Griffin, J. M., & Janusek, L. W. (2015) · Biological Research For Nursing · doi:10.1177/1099800414568661 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Grief, although traditionally conceptualized as a bereavement-related reaction, it is also experienced by significant others in response to profound cognitive changes in their loved ones (Calvete & de Arroyabe, 2012; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
BackgroundAnticipatory Grief Among Close Relatives of Patients with ALS and MS
Grimby, A. (2015) · Psychology and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20150403.16 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Pehler, S., Sjostrom, S., & Markwardt, M. (2014) · International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications · doi:10.1111/2047-3095.12022 · Cited by 7
“Whether it is due to Alzheimer’s (Marwit & Meuser, 2005), abandonment (Edmands & Marcellino-Boisvert, 2002), or being forced to move to a new country (Svenberg et al., 2009), the uncertainty of the status of the relationship with that person or family left behind becomes very difficult for the remaining family members…”
InfluentialPsychometric properties of a Spanish version of the MM‐CGI‐SF in caregivers of people with dementia
Sánchez-Alcón, M., Sosa-Cordobés, E., Garrido-Fernández, A., Sánchez-Ramos, J., & Ramos-Pichardo, J. D. (2023) · Journal of The American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/jgs.18623 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“This grief called “ caregiver grief ” 2,3 is caused by several factors: by the prolonged time of care, the uncertainty of the illness, the disrupted communication between care-giver and patient; and by the continued losses from the illness.”
BackgroundWaddington, C., Harding, E., Brotherhood, E., Davies‐Abbott, I., Barker, S., Camic, P. M., Ezeofor, V. ‘., Gardner, H. E., Grillo, A., Hardy, C. J. D., et al. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/35376 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Predeath grief can include feelings of loss resulting from ongoing changes in roles, relationships, and identities [43,44] and may be of particular concern for individuals affected by YOD because of changes in areas such as employment, finances, and child support [17].”
BackgroundCoelho, A., Roberto, M. S., Barros, L., & Barbosa, A. (2020) · Illness Crisis & Loss · doi:10.1177/1054137320923383 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“This phenomenon, designated as anticipatory grief (AG), is a complex and multidimensional construct (Cheng et al., 2019; Marwit & Meuser, 2005; Rando, 1986; Siegel & Weinstein, 1983).”
BackgroundResultManevich, A. (2025) · Mortality · doi:10.1080/13576275.2025.2561691 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Based on the original version, a shorter version with 18 items (Marwit & Meuser, 2005) and even a 6-item version (Liew & Yap, 2020) have been developed.”
Priddis, D., & Asbury, M. B. (2020) · Substance Abuse Research and Treatment · doi:10.1177/1178221820972711 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Alvelo, J., Cancio-Gonzalez, R. E., & Collazo, A. A. (2016) · Research on Social Work Practice · doi:10.1177/1049731516656801 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“The short form of this instrument evolved from further statistical analyses of the data used to develop the original 50-item version (Marwit & Meuser, 2005; Meuser et al., 2004).”
MethodResultHockemeyer, N. G., Johns, S. A., Judge, K. S., Baucco, C., Gowan, T., Slaven, J. E., & Fowler, N. R. (2025) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2025.2453823 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“The average anticipatory grief score was 80.9 (SD 14.9), which is higher than reported in other studies of ADRD caregivers (Fowler et al. 2013; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
InfluentialMorimoto, H., Fukudome, T., Tajima, A., & Noguchi, D. (2025) · Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1111/psyg.13243 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Besser, L. M., & Galvin, J. E. (2021) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-215162 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Nursing Diagnosis Development of Longing: Content Validation With Nursing Experts
Pehler, S., Markwardt, M., & Hibbard, D. (2015) · International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications · doi:10.1111/2047-3095.12053 · Cited by 4
“Those caring for a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, for example, often experience a disconnection or detachment from the person with the disease (Johansson, Sundh, Wijk, & Grimby, 2013; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
Lindauer, A., Smith, S., Gothard, S., Mattek, N., Tran, L., & Mooney, A. R. (2023) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2023.2250741 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Development of an Anticipatory Grief Scale for Family Caregivers of a Person Dying at Home
Kobayashi, H., Nakaya, T., & Moriyama, M. (2012) · Journal of Japan Academy of Nursing Science · doi:10.5630/jans.32.4_41 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Griffin, J. M., Bangerter, L. R., Kim, K., Liu, Y., Batthyány, A., Birkeland, R. W., Frangiosa, T. L., Nosheny, R. L., Gaugler, J. E., & Lapid, M. I. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098182 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Longing: A Patient and Caregiver Focused Clinical Diagnostic Validity (CDV) Study
Pehler, S. (2016) · International Journal of Nursing Knowledge · doi:10.1111/2047-3095.12157 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Those caring for a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, for example, often experience a disconnection or detachment from the person with the disease (Johansson, Sundh, Wijk, & Grimby, 2013; Marwit & Meuser, 2005).”
BackgroundLapid, M. I., Bangerter, L. R., Kim, K., Lindroth, H., Liu, Y., Pagali, S. R., Aranibar, M. A. B., & Griffin, J. M. (2026) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.inpsyc.2026.100220 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Armstrong, M. J., Wollney, E. N., Li, Z., Dai, Y. E., LaBarre, B., Wang, T., Sovich, K., Jury, H. F., Galvin, J. E., Henriquez, A. M., et al. (2025) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.1177/13872877251365218 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“38 For pre-death assessments of the individuals with DLB, the LBCRS measured the breadth of DLB symptoms present, including parkinsonism.”
- Authors
- MARWIT, S. J., & MEUSER, T. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Missouri–St. Louis (US)
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- Corresponding author
- MEUSER, THOMAS M.
- ORCID
- MEUSER, THOMAS M.
- Venue
- Death Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-03-16
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 191-205
- ISSN
- 0748-1187 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-7683
- OpenAlex
- W2024033240
- Cited by
- 130
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Death Studies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- caregiver grief, dementia caregivers, grief measurement, instrument development, reliability and validity
- MeSH terms
- Dementia, Grief, Health Status, Humans, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Reproducibility of Results, Caregivers, Cost of Illness
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