Grieving: 22 to 30 percent of all college students

Abstract

The author offers evidence that 22 to 30 percent of college undergraduates are in the first year of bereavement, reviews the effects of their grieving, and addresses implications for colleges and universities.

College and the grieving student: A mixed-methods analysis

“…In addition to establishing prevalence rates, prior research effectively demonstrated that bereaved college students report or exhibit many problems such as insomnia, lack of motivation, problems concentrating, depression, emotional problems, and relationship concerns (Balk, 2008;Taub & Servaty-Seib, 2008;Walker, 2008). It may well be that a grieving college student may experience a sense of social isolation, and changes in peer relationships that may place them at risk for problems in mental health difficulties.…”

“…Frequently the climate supports work and play and not time out for grief. Friends and classmates may disengage from a bereft peer, not out of malice but rather out of their own discomfort with death and loss (Balk, 2008(Balk, , 2011. The time frame of college semesters, with due dates, deadlines, and repetitive beginnings and finals do not accommodate to the waves of grief that require time and patience to wade through.…”

“…Yet, there is mounting evidence that a significant number of students experience the death of loved ones at the same time that they are negotiating the demands of college (Balk, 1997(Balk, , 2008(Balk, , 2011Balk & Walker, 2008;LaGrand, 1986;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006;Varga & Bordere, 2015;Walker, Hathcoat, & Cupit, 2012). Across a number of campuses in the United States, the findings are fairly consistent that within a 12 month period approximately 22 -30% of a college student body has experienced death, typically of a family member or of a friend; percentages increase when students are asked if they have lost someone over a 24 month period (Balk, 2001(Balk, , 2008(Balk, , 2011. Frazier et al (2009) in a multicampus assessment of undergraduates' exposure to traumatic events learned that 47% of participants claimed that an unexpected death was their most traumatic event.…”

Faculty's Empathy and Academic Support for Grieving Students

“…Grief is defined as the ''state of mental distress that occurs in reaction to significant loss, including one's own impending death, the death of a loved one, or a quasi-death experience'' (Donatelle, 2009, p. G-9). Balk (2008) indicated that ''at any given time, 22 to 30% of college undergraduates are in the first 12 months of grieving the death of a family member or friend'' (p. 5). Balk (1997) surveyed 994 undergraduate students on death and bereavement experiences.…”

“…In addition, bereavement, for some, may increase susceptibility to illness, disease, and mortality. Specific to college student bereavement, Balk (2008) conducted a literature review on grief among this population, noting both physical and behavioral symptoms. Physically, college student bereavement was associated with insomnia and exhaustion.…”