Disenfranchised Grief Scale

The Disenfranchised Grief Scale (DGS), developed from Kenneth J. Doka's conceptual framework, assesses grief that society does not recognize, validate, or support—grief that is excluded from public mourning rituals, openly acknowledged grief ceremonies, or institutional support. Examples include loss of a former spouse, affair partner, ex-partner, friend (not family), pet, or pregnancy loss. The DGS captures the unique burden of grieving without social permission or recognition.