When college students grieve: New insights into the effects of loss during emerging adulthood

Supporting bereaved students in higher education: student perspectives

“…Bereavement is a common experience among students in higher education, with almost one-third experiencing a death loss during their studies (Balk et al, 2010;Cox et al, 2015;Varga et al, 2021a). The university environment demands continuous high performance, meeting deadlines for assessments, passing examinations, and participating in social campus activities, all of which might be challenging for bereaved students (Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Hardison et al, 2005;Neimeyer et al, 2008;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006). Bereaved students report and demonstrate reduced test performance, lower grade-point averages, difficulty concentrating, and require more time to complete tasks (Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006).…”

“…The university environment demands continuous high performance, meeting deadlines for assessments, passing examinations, and participating in social campus activities, all of which might be challenging for bereaved students (Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Hardison et al, 2005;Neimeyer et al, 2008;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006). Bereaved students report and demonstrate reduced test performance, lower grade-point averages, difficulty concentrating, and require more time to complete tasks (Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006). Thus, bereaved students are at risk of voluntary withdrawal from the university, especially if they cannot find appropriate support (Hedman, 2012;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006).…”

“…The most appropriate and beneficial forms of support for bereaved university students include providing information at orientation regarding the prevalence of bereavement and the normal grieving process, offering drop-in and peer-led support groups, and implementing a student bereavement policy (Cox et al, 2015;Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Fajgenbaum et al, 2012;Liew & Servaty-Seib, 2020;Parikh & Servaty-Seib, 2013;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2008;Walker et al, 2014). However, there are many ways universities can provide support to bereaved university students, including engagement with staff, on-campus counselling, and tailored administration processes (Cupit et al, 2016;Fajgenbaum et al, 2012;Hedman, 2012;Liew & Servaty-Seib, 2020;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2008;Valentine & Woodthorpe, 2020;Walker et al, 2014).…”

“…Addressing isolation experienced by bereaved university students and providing a space for bereft students to talk about how they feel may come from a variety of sources, including academic staff, on-campus counselling, peers, and peer-led support groups (Cox et al, 2015;Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Fajgenbaum et al, 2012;Parikh & Servaty-Seib, 2013;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2008;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2010;Varga et al, 2021a;Walker et al, 2014). For instance, staff could show a personal interest in bereaved students experiences through inquiry, providing time to listen, and offering validating statements (Cupit et al, 2016;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2008;Walker et al, 2014).…”

“…However, staff were less supportive of providing leniency with coursework deadlines if bereavement occurred a month or more before the scheduled date (Hedman, 2012). A reduction in staff support can disenfranchise and invalidate students' grief when it extends beyond the immediate few weeks, preventing students from seeking and receiving support, despite evidence that shows grief is present months and years after the death (Balk et al, 2010;Cupit et al, 2016;Cupit et al, 2021;Doka, 2002;Hardison et al, 2005;Servaty-Seib & Hamilton, 2006;Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2008;Walker et al, 2016).…”