Comparing the nature of grief and growth in bereaved, divorced, and unemployed individuals

Klurfeld, Z.B.; Buqo, Tom; Sanderson, William C.; Ward‐Ciesielski, Erin F.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.008

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Both feelings of grief and personal growth were associated with using memories to continue the bond with the lost loved one and prepare for own life's finitude. This finding might echo the idea that grief and growth are not the direct opposites of each other but can co‐occur (Klurfeld et al, 2020). In addition, the findings may help understand why intimacy maintenance and death preparation are usually difficult to categorize consistently (Ros et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

“…However, some might also experience personal growth which is a feeling of strength, confidence, attachment following a stressful event (Calhoun et al, 2010) and also the spiritual, existential, and personal change that a person encountered due to the loss (Hogan et al, 2001). Notably, the two reactions of grief and personal growth can co‐occur (Calhoun et al, 2010; Klurfeld et al, 2020), sometimes grief is referred to as an emotional (Prigerson et al, 1995), whereas personal growth as a cognitive component of the adaptation to bereavement (Park & George, 2013). These different bereavement reactions can be associated with how and why individuals remember their lost loved one.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Pociunaite,

Wolf

2023

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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Remembering the lost loved one is an integral part of bereavement process. While we know from prior research that memories in general are used for specific reasons (e.g., for identity processes or within social relationships), it is unclear for what reasons people remember their lost loved ones. Based on previous literature, we assumed that memory emotionality and bereavement reaction are associated with why people reminisce about their lost loved ones. In total, 100 adults reported up to 10 of their most important memories about a lost loved one and rated them regarding emotional valence, intensity and different types of memory use. Participants also rated their feelings of grief and personal growth post‐loss. Findings demonstrate that memories about lost loved ones are used in ways considered adaptive and maladaptive. Importantly, the reasons for remembering lost loved ones are strongly associated with emotional qualities of memories and the individual bereavement reaction.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

Pociunaite,

Wolf

2023

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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“…Divorce, like other losses in life, triggers a grief reaction. Researchers concluded that because of role loss, prolonged grief disorder can emerge (Klurfeld et al, 2020). Grief can have negative consequences and can cause deficits in flexibility of emotional expression (Gupta and Bonanno, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Emotional Flexibility and Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression in Divorced Women

et al. 2023

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The present study was developed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the level of emotional flexibility and ambivalence related to emotional expression of divorced women. A general community sample of 30 divorced women was recruited and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received MBSR for 8 weeks, and the control group was placed on a waiting list. The Emotional Flexibility Questionnaire (EFQ) and the Ambivalence Over the Expression of Emotion Questionnaire (AEQ) were administered to both groups before (pre) and after (post) the treatment. Data were analyzed using two-way mixed repeated-measures analyses of variance. The results showed that women in the treatment group had a significant increase in the total score of the EFQ and its components. In addition, the MBSR group had a significant decrease in the total score of the AEQ and its components. MBSR intervention shows potential for use with divorced women to help with emotion regulation and subsequent better adjustment to separation.

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“…New understandings and personal growth commonly emerged out of the experience of unemployment, whereby the disruption to individuals’ lives and worldview triggered deliberate meaning-making processes [ 68 ] that generally promoted positive coping. This contributes to a growing area of research finding evidence of growth during unemployment using both quantitative [ 69 ] and qualitative [ 37 ] approaches. Participants’ growth often involved re-evaluating their priorities and re-orienting their stance toward the future, consequently creating new life and career goals to pursue deeply held personal values.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the lived experience of mental health and coping during unemployment

et al. 2022

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Background Unemployment is known to involve various psychosocial challenges that can negatively impact mental health. However, the intricacies of how individuals experience these challenges and strive to cope within the context of varied sociocultural and individuating factors, remain comparatively understudied. The present qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of mental health and coping during unemployment. Methods Fifteen Australian adults who had recently experienced unemployment (for ≥3 months in the last 2 years), despite being available for and able to work, participated in semi-structured interviews from August to September 2021. Maximum variation sampling ensured participants represented diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis within NVivo12 software. Results Four major themes were identified: 1) disrupted identity and direction in life; 2) navigating conflicting views of contribution and progress; 3) knowing how to cope is not enough; and 4) unemployment as a catalyst for new understandings. Unemployment disrupted participants’ sense of purpose, identity and visions for the future. It signified a perceived failure to meet societal standards of value based upon the economic functions of work, which participants struggled to reconcile with their own priorities for work that satisfied psychosocial needs. Participants were aware of effective coping strategies, although these had mixed positive and negative effects on mental health, or were difficult to mobilise during unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, while normalising unemployment to some degree, exacerbated future uncertainty and prevented engagement with known coping strategies (e.g., social interaction). However, unemployment could also instigate growth through re-defining markers of achievement, re-aligning goals with one’s core values, and developing greater compassion. Conclusions Experiences of mental health and coping during unemployment share complex relationships both with each other and with broader personal and sociocultural contexts. Service providers may better meet the mental health needs of those experiencing unemployment by balancing the economic and psychosocial functions of work, understanding that coping is a wholistic issue that goes beyond knowledge of effective strategies, and being aware of the opportunities for self-development that unemployment can create.

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Comparing the nature of grief and growth in bereaved, divorced, and unemployed individuals

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

I will keep your memory! Reasons for remembering lost loved ones

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Emotional Flexibility and Ambivalence Over Emotional Expression in Divorced Women

Exploring the lived experience of mental health and coping during unemployment

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