CUNY and Weill Cornell Researchers Validate First Hindi Tool to Diagnose Prolonged Grief Disorder

Groundbreaking collaboration brings culturally sensitive grief assessment to Hindi-speaking communities.

^{Left to right: Dr. Apeksha Mewani, Dr. Vincent Jones II, Dr. Kim Glickman, Mr. Sungwoo (Justin) Kim, Dr. Holly Prigerson.}

Clinicians now have a validated Hindi-language tool to help identify Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) among Hindi-speaking individuals coping with loss. A cross-institutional team of researchers from the City University of New York (CUNY) and Weill Cornell Medicine has developed and validated the Hindi translation of the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13 Revised (PG-13-R) Scale. This clinical instrument enables practitioners to recognize the depth and duration of grief and provide appropriate care for those affected by prolonged bereavement.

Led by Dr. Apeksha Mewani, Dr. Vincent Jones II, Mr. Sungwoo (Justin) Kim, Dr. Kim Glickman, and scale originator Dr. Holly G. Prigerson, the study introduces the Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale – Hindi Version (PG-13-R-H).

The extensive study represents the first evidence-based grief assessment available for Hindi-speaking adults.

Giving Language to Loss

According to the clinicians, Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a mental health condition characterized by enduring yearning and emotional pain that interfere with daily life long after the death of a loved one. PGD is now formally recognized in both the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11. While Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, no validated tool existed to identify PGD among Hindi-speaking populations until now. The original Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13) and its revised form were created by Dr. Prigerson, the Irving Sherwood Wright Professor of Geriatrics and Professor of Sociology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Prigerson's pioneering work gave scientific and clinical recognition to the experience of grief that becomes prolonged and debilitating, leading to the inclusion of PGD in major diagnostic frameworks.

Study Overview

The research team surveyed 527 Hindi-speaking adults in the United States, recruited both online and through community outreach in Queens, New York, a borough celebrated for its rich linguistic and cultural diversity. The Hindi version of the scale demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75) and validity. Nearly one in six participants (15.6 percent) met diagnostic thresholds for prolonged grief disorder, with 41.7 percent reporting a COVID-19–related death and 88.6 percent an unexpected loss, both major risk factors. These findings highlight the emotional impact of pandemic-era bereavement and underscore the importance of culturally adapted grief support within diaspora communities.

Reflections from the Researchers

Dr. Mewani, lead author of the study and Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Equity, Administration, and Technology at Lehman College, shared:

"I want the people of my country to have access to this grief scale so this mental illness can be clinically diagnosed, and those in need receive mental health support."

Dr. Jones, Assistant Professor of Community Health and Director of the Health Promotion Center at York College, reflected: "Language should never be a barrier to healing. By translating and validating this scale, we make space for understanding loss in ways that are culturally grounded and emotionally attuned. This work allows clinicians and communities to meet people where they are, in their own language, with empathy and respect."

Dr. Prigerson, originator of the Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale and senior author of the study, emphasized: "When we first developed the PG-13, our goal was to help those who are mourning, who never found a name. Seeing it now available in Hindi extends that mission globally. It means more people can be seen, heard, and helped. That is deeply meaningful both scientifically and humanly."

Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Support

For many communities in the United States, access to mental health resources has long been shaped by linguistic and cultural barriers. The PG-13-R-H helps address this gap by providing community health workers, counselors, and clinicians with a reliable way to identify prolonged grief among Hindi-speaking individuals and connect them with support that aligns with their cultural and linguistic needs.

Institutional Commitment

This work reflects the shared commitment of York College and Lehman College to advancing equity in mental health research and ensuring that diverse communities have access to culturally and linguistically inclusive care. The study embodies the colleges' dedication to community-centered scholarship that heals as it informs.

Publication Details

The study, "Psychometric Properties, Stability, and Predictive Validity of the Hindi Version of the Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13-R-H) Among Hindi-speaking Adults in the United States," is published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine.

Access the full study