Development and validation of the Aarhus PGD scale for operationalizing ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR Prolonged Grief Disorder

•A team of scientists, patients, and clinicians formed the Aarhus PGD scale (A-PGDs).•Findings show A-PGDs to be a valid and reliable measure that can be used to operationalize both ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR PGD.•Two PGD factors, separation distress and emotional distress, were found using ESEM.•Only emotional distress (associated symptoms) was related to functional impairment.•A 3rd factor, antagonistic feelings (anger, bitterness) was found in DSM-5-TR alone.