The present study explored the nature of grief and trauma following the loss of a loved one. The concept of complicated grief (CG) was investigated, and the overlapping symptoms of trauma, CG, and grief were explored. Comparisons were made between those who reported CG and/or trauma and those who did not report CG or trauma in relation to search for meaning, death anxiety, and self-regulation. The failure to find meaning in the death of a loved one, impaired self-reference, and death anxiety were found to play a significant role in both trauma and CG.
Numerous studies have been conducted in the areas of attachment theory and grief. There is, however, very little research that explores the possible connection between attachment and grief. The present study examines the relationship between an adult's attachment style (i.e., secure or insecure) and an individual's experience of grief after the loss of a spouse. Seventy-seven widows and widowers completed a questionnaire package consisting of the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (Griffin & Bartholomew, 1994), the Grief Experience Inventory (Sanders, Mauger, & Strong, 1985a), and the Continuing Bonds Scale (Grund, 1998). Differences between participants who were secure in attachment to their spouse and those insecure in attachment (which includes preoccupied, dismissing, and fearful) were examined on the Grief Experience Inventory and the Continuing Bonds Scale. Findings revealed differences between securely and insecurely attached widowed people on subscales of the Grief Experience Inventory. In particular, securely attached people were less angry, less socially isolated, less guilty, had less death anxiety, less somatic symptoms, less despair, less depersonalization, and ruminated less than insecurely attached people. Analysis of the Continuing Bonds subscales revealed significant differences between secure and insecure attachments such that secure people scored higher on Interchanges with the Deceased, as well as Reminiscing about the Deceased, than insecure people. Taken as a whole, the results seem to indicate that attachment style has an affect on one's grief reaction.
This study examines the reliability and validity of Internet research in bereavement. Recent literature demonstrates an increased interest in utilizing a more convenient, inexpensive, and rapid Internet method to collect data and recruit bereaved participants. For researchers, the Internet offers the possibility to learn more about grief from the growing online community of bereaved people. To explore the possible use of Internet tools in bereavement research, this study compares online survey method with traditional paper-and-pencil method in grief assessment. One group of bereaved adults (N = 84) was recruited and completed the survey by mail, and another group of bereaved adults (N = 262) was recruited and completed the same set of questions via Internet. The collected data were analyzed to identify both similarities and differences between the two samples' responses and the psychometric characteristics of the Core Bereavement Items inventory (CBI; Burnett, Middleton, Raphael, & Martinek, 1997). Significant differences were found between the two samples in relation to time since loss, cause of death, and relationship to deceased, demonstrating a greater variability in the Internet sample. Other demographic characteristics, as well as the grief and meaning making scores, did not differ significantly. In addition, no relevant differences were found in the psychometric properties of the CBI. These findings suggest that the Internet-based methods can be a suitable and valid alternative to more traditional paper-and-pencil methods.
<p>Attempts at resolution between former students of Indian residential schools and the non-Aboriginal Canadian population began with the signing of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2006. The Settlement Agreement outlined provisions for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to document the stories of former students and for the Resolution Health Support Program to offer emotional and cultural support to former students and their families. Although former students have catalogued their stories through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process, experiences of healing from the events of Indian residential schools remain relatively unknown. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of healing among former Indian residential school students. In partnership with an Aboriginal support agency in a small Saskatchewan city, we interviewed 10 Aboriginal people affected by residential schools. The focus of the interviews was to generate participants’ conceptions and experiences of healing regarding their residential school experiences. We found all participants continued to experience physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual impacts of residential school attendance. Disclosure of their experiences was an important turning point for some participants. Their efforts to move on varied from attempting to “forget” about their experience to reconnecting with their culture and/or following their spiritual, religious, or faith practices. Participants also noted the profound intergenerational effects of residential schools and the need for communities to promote healing. The findings will be used to guide an assessment of the healing needs among this population in Saskatchewan.</p>
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