Motivational and Self-Regulatory Factors Associated with Yearning and Prolonged Grief Symptoms

Enhanced motivational sensitivity to reward is associated with several psychiatric conditions, including prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Although reasons for this association remain unclear, it is possible that individuals higher in reward sensitivity are more prone to yearning for a lost loved one, especially if they have difficulty reengaging in new life goals. We sought to examine this hypothesis in a cross-sectional cohort of 274 adults recruited online who reported a lifetime history of surviving at least one sudden death loss. Motivational sensitivity to reward was associated with more severe yearning, particularly among individuals who have difficulty reengaging in new life goals. This pattern of associations was specific to individuals with more severe PGD symptoms. Findings support previous research suggesting that reward sensitivity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PGD and highlight potentially important intervention targets in at-risk bereaved populations.