Bereaved individuals experiencing chronic grief reactions are best described as which type of grief?

• A. Disenfranchised grief
• B. Masked grief
• C. Chronic grief
• D. Delayed grief

Answer: (C)

Grief that lasts a long time and remains intense is described as chronic grief. This pattern means the distress and longing for the loss persist well beyond what is typical, often interfering with daily functioning, rather than fading with time. It’s different from delayed grief (mourning that starts later after an initial quiet or denial), masked grief (grief that shows up as other symptoms or behaviors rather than as sadness), and disenfranchised grief (loss not acknowledged or supported by society). So when the bereaved experience ongoing, persistent distress over an extended period, chronic grief is the best match.