Restoration-oriented stressors of bereavement

Abstract

Background and objectives: The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement holds that bereaved people who respond flexibly to lossoriented stressors (i.e., relating to the loss; to the deceased person) and restoration-oriented stressors (i.e., secondary to loss; daily-life changes, taking on new roles) adapt better to bereavement. Despite growing interest in the Dual Process Model, systematic analyses of the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of restoration-oriented stressors are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to chart restoration-oriented stressors and their relationship with post-loss adaptation. Design and methods: A community sample of 181 bereaved adults (63% women) completed the 20-item expert-construed Restoration-Oriented Stressors Inventory (ROSI) and questionnaires assessing background characteristics, worry, and prolonged grief and depression symptoms. Results: Main findings were that younger people, and those who lost a parent, partner, or child (vs. other relationship) experienced more restoration-oriented stressors and appraised these as more stressful. Stressors' perceived stressfulness, but not their quantity, related positively to worry. Perceived stressfulness predicted prolonged grief and depression symptoms beyond background characteristics, worry, and the number of stressors. Conclusion: Restoration-oriented stressors and their appraisal vary and relate to coping and post-loss mental health. Future research should clarify temporal interrelations between stressors, coping mechanisms, and outcomes.

Problem-focused Coping, Avoidance Coping and Emotional Coping: Coping Strategies for Daily Stressors Among Operational and Non-operational Rescue Workers in Punjab, Pakistan

“…People more able to cope with its effects may be less likely to suffer. Numerous studies point to the fact that people have ability of active coping appraise lower appraisal stressors (Shimazu & Kosugi, 2003;Young et al, 2014;Ostafin & Proulx, 2020;Eisma et al, 2021). People with a higher active coping level are better equipped to handle the adverse effects of stressors.…”

Grief over Non-Death Losses

“…Importantly, the same question applies to bereavement, at least when we no longer consider it in abstraction from a larger situation. Worsened relationships with friends or family members, and also financial problems, are often occasioned by a bereavement (Eisma, de Lang, and Stroebe, 2022). Are these to be regarded as integral to a singular loss of possibilities?…”

Framing the meaning of COVID-19 and the psychological responses to it: Insights gleaned from selected theoretical approaches

“…The original dual process model (DPM; Stroebe and Schut, 1999) may best explain the process of grief following COVID-19 deaths. This model identifies two specific types of stressors: loss-oriented stressors (stressful experiences relating to the death of the close person him/herself) and restoration-oriented stressors (a range of experiences and stressful matters that are secondary consequence of the loss) (Eisma et al, 2021a). Adaptive coping is composed of confronting the avoidance of loss and managing the secondary, restoration stressors.…”