Societal expectations of grief impact the experience of bereavement. The congruence of societal expectations with current scientific understanding of grief is unknown. Therefore two qualitative studies explored community perceptions of grief. In study one, three small focus groups (N = 9) examined grief-related expectations associated with hypothetical scenarios of bereavement. In study two, the impact of grief-related perceptions on the lived experience of bereavement for 11 individuals was explored through semistructured interviews. Across both studies, elements of a traditional stage model view of grief were evident, with participants viewing emotional expression of grief as important. An avoidant coping style in the bereaved was considered problematic. Findings of study two suggested that griefrelated beliefs may impact the bereavement experience via appraisal of the grief response and willingness to support bereaved individuals. The studies suggested that stage model assumptions in the beliefs of the general population persist, although there was a recognition of diversity in the grief response.

SUMMARYThe capacity for nitrate reduction was shown to be present in the roots and shoots of all fern specie.s examined. In many species the root was the major site of nitrate reduction, irrespective of the availability of external nitrate. The capacity for root nitrate reduction was positively correlated with root glutamine synthetase activity. Some species exhibited multiple forms of glutamine synthetase in their shoots. The activity of chloroplastic glutamine synthetase appeared to be correlated with photorespiratory potential. Root nitrate assimilation was most pronounced in shade ferns.

For a sample of separated women with childnh the aims of the study were to identify (a) the anzas of hassles which related to perceived stress, (b) the components of social support which related to perceived social support, and (c) tbe dative association of hasslcl and the components of social supwith satisfaction with single status. Mailed questionnaire data were coUected from a sample of 116 stress was primarily Bssociatcd with social environment factors apd hassles with the cx-pamcr, and to a kaaa extent with CcOMlmic issues and domestic problems. Pauived social support rdatcd to appraisal, selfutecm and belonging but not to tangible support. Satisfaction with single status related to one demographic variable @aceivai adequacy of income) and to me social support variable (sclfcsteem) but was unrrlated to hassles. The implications of the findings are that separated women aeed to be bclpcd to maintain. or establish. supportive social networts which will promote selfcsteem and facilitate adjustment to their single stahu. W O M~ who hed primary nsporuibility fOr at lcut ~h~l -~ child Paceived global In Austnlia, 20.9% of persoas who divorce do so in the fint five yurs of marriage, and 49.4% do so within tbe first ten yean of mMirrge (Aurrtraliul Burcau of Statistics [ABS]. 1992). Of thesc divorces, 55.6% involve dependent children (ABS, 1992).In about 90% of CBSCS the mother is awprded custody (AS, 1992).Women who have been sepsrated, ivho arc living alone without a pplmer, md who have children living with them arc arguably seen to be a high-sass, high-tisk p u p within the community. Some of these women remain single, with varying degrees of satisfaction with their single status. Factors likely to relate to such satisfaction u e the degree of perceived stress due to tion of the rvpiLpbility of support from othas. These issues will be explored in the p e n t study. Hassl8sStudies of stru, recognisc the roles of both chronic situations ud evuyday hassles as stressors (e.g.. Clarke & Ruffin. 1993; Kanner, Cope. Schaeffer. & Lazarus, 198 1 ; Lazarus. 1984; Ruffin, 1993). SepuMion is a major life event or crisis which is C Wa. 1985; Kessla & McLeOd 1985). and provide protec-ComJpcndence to: Jake A Stmart, school of Psychokgy, 0 t h lhiversity -Warmambod, W Box 423, Warrnambod VK: 3280, Australia.

This questionnaire study examined the adjustment of 245 lone-parenting women following marital separation. A composite model included intrapsychic variables as intervening between demographic and contextual variables and adjustment (life satisfaction). Regression analyses showed that the demographic and contextual variables were partially mediated by the intrapsychic variables. The path model indicated that the intrapsychic variables (sense of coherence, control, depression, and grief) had a direct impact on life satisfaction and that there was an indirect path for depression through sense of coherence (SOC) and control. It was concluded that the intrapsychic variables had a more powerful relationship with women's post-separation life satisfaction than did the demographic/contextual variables. Social implications and recommendations for future policy are considered.

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