Texas Revised Inventory of Grief
Also known as: TRIG, Faschingbauer TRIG, Revised Inventory of Grief
The Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG) is a 21-item multidimensional measure developed by Faschingbauer, Zisook, and DeVaul in 1987 to assess both past grief behaviors (how the person grieved when the death occurred) and present grief feelings (current emotional response to loss). The TRIG is unique in distinguishing historical grief response from contemporary grief state, providing a comprehensive temporal and dimensional profile of bereavement.
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When to use it
The TRIG is particularly valuable when: comprehensive multidimensional grief assessment is needed beyond symptom severity alone; clinicians seek to understand the temporal trajectory of grief (acute vs. prolonged patterns); differentiating uncomplicated from complicated grief requires understanding both past and present response; assessing grief in diverse populations where grief expression and timeline vary culturally; longitudinal research examining grief trajectories over time; or clinical training and supervision where learning the multidimensional nature of grief is important. The TRIG is used less for initial screening (where briefer tools like the ICG are preferred) and more for detailed formulation in individuals with identified or suspected grief difficulties.
Strengths & limitations
- Multidimensional structure distinguishes past grief behavior from present grief feelings, providing richer clinical information than symptom severity alone; helps differentiate acute from chronic/complicated grief patterns.
- Both subscales are well-validated with good internal consistency (Cronbach's α typically 0.70–0.85) and test-retest reliability; factor structure is replicated across multiple studies and populations.
- Interpretable subscale profiles provide clinical guidance beyond total scores; allows personalized formulation of grief trajectory.
- Moderate length (21 items) balances comprehensiveness with administration burden; takes 5–10 minutes, suitable for clinical use.
- No copyright restrictions; free to use in clinical and research settings, widely available in published form and online.
- Retrospective assessment of Past Behavior is subject to memory decay and reinterpretation bias, particularly when assessments occur many years post-loss; recent memories may be more reliable than distant ones.
- No universally accepted cutoff scores for diagnosis; interpretation is primarily descriptive rather than criterion-referenced, reducing diagnostic precision compared to structured diagnostic instruments.
- Limited explicit assessment of complicated grief criteria (e.g., functional impairment, intrusive thoughts); better suited to characterizing grief dimensions than diagnosing pathology.
- Subscale names ('Past Behavior,' 'Present Feelings') may be misinterpreted; Past Behavior reflects emotional reactions at the time of loss, not coping behaviors or adaptive actions taken during bereavement.
- Cultural variation in grief expression and timeline not explicitly addressed; high scores may reflect cultural norms around emotional expressiveness rather than complicated grief.
Frequently asked
What does the Past Behavior subscale really measure? Is it about coping?
No. The Past Behavior subscale measures the individual's emotional response and typical behaviors at the time of death and immediately afterward—essentially, their initial grief reaction. It is not about adaptive coping strategies but rather how distressed, withdrawn, or emotionally overwhelmed the person was during acute bereavement. High PB scores indicate intense acute grief; low PB scores indicate more muted or suppressed initial response.
I have high Present Feelings but low Past Behavior. Does this mean I had complicated grief?
Not necessarily. High Present Feelings with low Past Behavior can indicate delayed grief, suppressed acute response, recent reminders or anniversary reactions, concurrent depression/anxiety, or simply that the loss has become more salient over time due to life circumstances. Professional assessment of duration, functional impact, and differential diagnosis is required to determine if complicated grief is present.
How long after a loss should I complete the TRIG?
The TRIG can be completed at any point following a loss. However, the distinction between Past Behavior and Present Feelings is clearest when there has been sufficient time for the immediate grief response to differentiate from longer-term feelings—typically weeks to months post-loss. Very early completion (days post-loss) may result in significant overlap between the two subscales.
Is there a cutoff score that indicates I need grief counselling?
The TRIG does not have a standardized cutoff score indicating need for counselling; it is not a diagnostic instrument. Elevated scores, particularly on Present Feelings when assessed months to years post-loss, suggest significant ongoing grief that warrants evaluation by a mental health professional. The decision to pursue counselling should be based on clinical judgment considering symptom duration, functional impact, cultural context, and differential diagnosis—not on the TRIG score alone.
Sources
- Faschingbauer, T. R., Zisook, S., & DeVaul, R. (1987). The Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. In S. Zisook (Ed.), Biopsychosocial aspects of bereavement (pp. 111–124). American Psychiatric Press. link ↗
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 3). Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/bereavement-psychology/texas-revised-inventory-grief
Which method?
Set this method beside its closest kin and read them side by side — the library lays the books on the table; the choice is yours.
- AGSBereavement Psychology↔ compare
- GEQBereavement Psychology↔ compare
- HGRCBereavement Psychology↔ compare
- ICGBereavement Psychology↔ compare