Developing the Yearning in Situations of Loss Scale: Convergent and Discriminant Validity for Bereavement, Romantic Breakup, and Homesickness

Yearning is common in situations involving loss, and a hallmark of complicated grief. To study yearning empirically, the present study develops the Yearning in Situations of Loss scale (YSL), which measures yearning bereavement, romantic breakup, or homesickness. In Study 1, we identified shared characteristics across situations of loss, tested an initial version and removed items with the lowest item-scale reliability. In Study 2, the 21-item YSL was compared to scales of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and existing scales, relevant to each loss situation. The YSL showed discriminant and convergent validity that applies to bereavement, romantic breakup, and homesickness.