The bereavement phenomenology questionnaire: A single factor only

Abstract

Objective: To review the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Bereavement Phenomenology Questionnaire (BPQ). Method: Continuous data were compared using two tailed t-tests and analysis of variance. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out. Results: Good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) with a single factor has been found. The BPQ discriminates the intensity of grief between widows and widowers, spouses and offspring, and temporally between acute and later phases of bereavement. Conclusion: Although on the BPQ items are highly correlated and only a single factor has emerged, it remains nonetheless a valid and reliable scale for the measurement of grief.