Past studies showed that bereaved people with higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms tend to report poorer mental and physical health. However, research addressing the downstream consequences of prolonged grief to perceived physical health, and its potential underlying mechanisms, is still limited. This study aimed to explore whether meaning in life explained the associations between prolonged grief symptoms and mental and physical health outcomes. In a cross-sectional study (N = 332), participants who experienced the loss of a family member, a romantic partner, or a close friend at least 12 months prior to the study were asked to complete an online survey. Results from the mediation models showed that higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms were associated with more depression symptoms, higher perceived loneliness, and lower perceived physical health. These associations occurred because participants who reported higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms also reported less meaning in life. Our findings offer insights for researchers and mental health professionals that can contribute to developing intervention programs and improving mental and physical health among bereaved adults. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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prolonged grief,depression,loneliness,physical health,meaning in life