Spousal bereavement ASSESSMENT - A review of bereavement specific measures

The death of a spouse represents a common form of bereavement among adults and is associated with significant distress and adaptation. This 10-year review of the bereavement literature highlights 12 tools used to assess bereavement in spousally bereaved samples. Pertinent measurement foci and psychometric properties of each tool are presented. Applicability of each tool within the spousal bereavement process is discussed, and aspects of the spousal bereavement process not currently addressed or under-addressed provide direction for future tool development.