Continuing Bonds, Meaning Making, and Collectivism: Predictors of Complicated Grief
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Abstract
Continuing bonds or maintaining a physical or mental connection with a deceased loved one is an aspect of the bereavement process that has displayed mixed results in the bereavement literature with respect to its adaptive or maladaptive effects. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of continuing bonds on complicated grief symptoms and how this effect is influenced by the meaning making the bereaved individual engages in, and their level of relational collectivism. One hundred and fifty seven participants who had lost a human loved one were recruited from counseling psychology masters and doctoral programs. A bootstrap mediation analysis was used to examine a moderated mediation model. Results of the main analysis revealed a significant partial mediation effect of meaning making on continuing bonds influence on complicated grief symptoms. However, results indicated no significant moderation effect of relational collectivism on the relationship between continuing bonds and meaning making. Preliminary analysis revealed no significant relationship between the outcome variables and participant age, race/ethnicity, religious affiliation, or time passed since the loss. However, the type of death reported and the reported level of closeness to the deceased had significant relationships with both meaning making and complicated grief symptoms. These findings, their limitations and implications are discussed with respect to their impact on bereaved individuals and possible avenues for counselors working with bereaved clients are presented. Recommendations for future research which may expand the bereavement literature are explored
Table of Contents
Abstract -- List of illustrations -- List of tables -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Literature review -- Methods -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix -- Demographic questionnaire -- Continuing bonds scale -- Integration of stressful life events scale --
inventory of complicated grief-revised -- Relation, individual, and collectivistic self-aspects scale -- Factor loadings of study measures with the current sample -- Permission for use of study measures -- References
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Ph.D.