Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study explored positive outcomes of adolescents'experiences of grief Ninety-three late adolescents (mean age of 19.4 years) responded to the question: "What positive outcomes, if any, do you feel were the result of your grief experience(s)? Check all that apply. " The most frequent responses were (a) have deeper appreciation of life (74%o), (b) show greater caring for loved ones (67%o), (c) strengthened emotional bonds with others (56%), and (d) developed emotional strength (53%o). Only 4 of the 93 subjects responded "none " (1 subject) or left all of the choices blank (3 subjects). There were no significant differences found related to response by sex or ethnicity; however, individuals with an internal locus of control as compared to an external locus of control did respond more often that they had better communication skills as a result of their grief experience. Findings are discussed as they relate to grief education and suggestions for future research.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adams D. W. , & Deveau, E. J. (1987). When a brother or sister is dying of cancer: The vulnerability of the adolescent sibling. Death Studies, 11, 279-295.

Balk, D. E. (1983). Adolescents' grief reactions and self-concept perceptions following sibling death: A study of 33 teenagers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 12, 137-161.

Balk, D. E. (1990). The self-concepts of bereaved adolescents: Sibling death and its aftermath. Journal of Adolescent Research, 5, 112-132.

Benoliel, J. O. (1985). Loss and adaptation: Circumstances, contingencies, and consequences. Death Studies, 9, 217-233.

Brasted, W. S. , & Callahan, E. J. (1984). Review article: A behavioral analysis of the grief process. Behavioral Therapy, 15, 529-543.

Burger, J. M. (1984). Desire for control, locus of control, and proneness to depression. Journal of Personality, 52(1), 71-89.

Cash, T. F. (1984). The irrational beliefs test: Its relationship with cognitive-behavioral traits and depression. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40, 1399-1405.

Cook, J. A. (1984). Influences of gender on the problems of parents of fatally ill children.Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2, 71-91.

Ewalt, P. L. , & Perkins, L. (1979). The real experience of death among adolescents: An empirical study. Social Casework, 60, 547-551.

10.

Fleming, S. J. , & Adolph, R. (1986). Helping bereaved adolescents: Needs and responses. In C. A. Corr & J. N. McNeil (Eds.), Adolescence and death (pp. 97-118). New York: Springer.

11.

Ganellen, R. J. , & Blaney, P. H. (1984). Stress, externality, and depression. Journal of Personality, 52, 326-337.

12.

Garber, B. (1983). Some thoughts on normal adolescents who lost a parent by death. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 12, 175-183.

13.

Gut, E. (1974). Some aspects of adult mourning. Omega, 5, 323-342.

14.

Kalish, R. A. , & Reynolds, D. K. (1976). Death and ethnicity: A psychocultural study. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

15.

LaGrand, L. E. (1986). Coping with separation and loss as a young adult: Theoretical and practical realities. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

16.

Malinak, D. P. , Hoyt, M. F. , & Patterson, V. (1979). Adults' reactions to the death of a parent: A preliminary study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 136, 1152-1156.

17.

McCown, D. E. , & Pratt, C. (1985). Impact of sibling death on children's behavior. DeathStudies, 9, 323-335.

18.

Moore, J. (1970). The death culture of Mexico and Mexican-Americans. Omega, 6, 303-323.

19.

Oltjenbruns, K. A. (1989). Ethnicity and the grief response: Mexican-American and Anglo college students. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado at Boulder.

20.

Parkes, C. M. , & Brown, R. J. (1972). Health after bereavement: A controlled study of young Boston widows and widowers. Psychosomatic Medicine, 34, 449-461.

21.

Peppers, L. , & Knapp, R. J. (1980). Maternal reactions to involuntary fetal/infant death. Psychiatry, 43, 155-159.

22.

Raphael, B. (1983). The anatomy of bereavement. New York: Basic Books.

23.

Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for intemal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80, 1-28.

24.

Sanders, C. M. (1979). A comparison of adult bereavement in the death of a spouse, child, and parent. Omega, 10, 303-322.

25.

Seligman, M. , Abramson, L. , Semmel, A. , & Von Baeyer, C. (1979). Depressive attributional style. Journal ofAbnormal Psychology, 88, 242-247.

26.

Siegel, L. J. , & Griffin, N. J. (1984). Correlates of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 13, 475-487.

27.

Sugar, M. (1968). Normal adolescent mourning. Psychotherapy, 52, 258-269.

28.

U.S. Bureau of the Census . (1989). Statistical abstracts of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

29.

Valente, S. M. , Saunders, J. , & Street, R. (1988). Adolescent bereavement following suicide: An examination of relevant literature. Journal of Counseling and Development, 67(3), 174-177.

Positive Outcomes of Adolescents' Experience with Grief

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References