Guilt in Bereavement: A Review and Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Thirty-four quantitative and 9 qualitative studies are reviewed to indicate current understanding of the nature and impact of guilt in bereavement. This overview suggests that guilt is especially prevalent among some vulnerable subgroups, and it is associated with maladaptive health outcomes. Being male, longer bereavement time, and good end-of life experience seem to be associated with less guilt feelings. However, definition ambiguity, measurement difficulties, and cultural insensitivity are evident in studies. Therefore, a multidimensional conceptualization of guilt and a structural model to guide future investigation of this phenomenon in the bereavement context is proposed.

Guilt in Bereavement: The Role of Self-Blame and Regret in Coping with Loss

“…Clearly, caution is needed, but again, given that manifestations of guilt in bereavement have been found with consistency across different societies [4], we would hypothesize that similar patterns regarding self-blame and regret would be found elsewhere. This is, then, a topic for further empirical research: the results call for replication in different cultures.…”

“…Guilt is typically listed not only among reactions to the loss of a loved one [3] it is also an integral part of depression. Guilt in the bereavement context has been defined as “a remorseful emotional reaction in bereavement, with recognition of having failed to live up to one's own inner standards and expectations in relationship to the deceased and/or the death” [4](p. 166). Although there is some evidence that it has a detrimental impact on adjustment to bereavement, empirical investigation has been limited and results have so far been inconclusive.…”

“…Although there is some evidence that it has a detrimental impact on adjustment to bereavement, empirical investigation has been limited and results have so far been inconclusive. For example, although identified as associated with grief, its precise role in the development of severe complications in bereavement remains unclear [4]. Yet, establishing the relationship between guilt and complications/symptomatology would seem critical.…”

“…Understanding the role of guilt in adjustment to bereavement is complicated by the fact that guilt incorporates a variety of cognitive and emotional components [4], suggesting the need for finer-grained examination. The present study focuses on two components of guilt, namely, self-blame and regret.…”

Rumination following bereavement: an overview

“…Therefore, a person will be more likely to ruminate about causes and consequences of the loss-event instead of the causes and consequences of depressive symptoms. Second, if a bereaved individual does think repetitively about one's negative emotions, there are many different emotional experiences after loss that one may focus on rather than depressive feelings, including yearning, guilt, anger, loneliness or anxiety (e.g., O'Connor & Sussman, 2014;Li, Stroebe, Chan & Chow, 2013;Maciejewski, Zhang, Block & Prigerson, 2007;NolenHoeksema, 2001). …”