Dissertations and Theses
Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Deidre Anglin
Second Advisor
Steven Tuber
Third Advisor
Diana Punales
Keywords
Complicated Grief, Young Adults, Grieving, Mourning, and Loss
Abstract
Background: Complicated grief, characterized by prolonged and intense mourning, presents unique challenges for individuals grappling with loss, as it is shaped by a multitude of factors influencing the grieving and mourning processes. While the literature has identified several factors that significantly impact complicated grief, such as post-loss symptom severity, stigmatization, the quality of the relationship to the deceased, and grief-related avoidance, this two-part study aimed to expand on existing findings by shedding light on the landscape of grief among a sample of ethnoracially diverse young adults. Part 1 of the study examined whether previously identified factors remain significant in this young adult sample, while controlling for relevant grief-related confounding variables and demographics. In part 2 of the study, among those who endorsed elevated complicated grief, the aim was to further investigate the individualized narratives of these young adults to gain insight into what is relevant in this sample regarding their grieving process. Methods: Using a sequential mixed methods design, Part 1 of this study incorporated correlations and multivariable linear regression analyses on a sample of N=445 ethnoracially diverse young adults between the ages of 18-24. This approach aimed to explore how these different factors contribute to complicated grief in this diverse young adult sample while controlling for relevant grief-related confounding variables and demographics. Among the sample who completed self-report measures, a total of 10 individuals who endorsed high levels of complicated grief participated in qualitative interviews. These interviews focused on the specifics of their grief experiences, the consequences of the loss, and explored cultural and religious rituals, practices, and beliefs, as well as coping mechanisms and processes of meaning-making employed by this young adult sample. Results: Part 1 revealed that pre-loss symptom severity, stigmatization, quality of the relationship to the deceased characterized by closeness, and avoidance positively related to complicated grief in analyses adjusted for grief-related confounding variables and demographics. Furthermore, qualitative analyses among those who endorsed high complicated grief, revealed three main themes pertaining to: (1) Consequences of the loss some of which included academic challenges, shifts and challenges in interpersonal and familial dynamics, confronting the inevitability of loss and associated distress, as well as the loss of youthful optimism. (2) Cultural and religious approaches to grieving consisted of diversity in mourning traditions and expressions, the interconnectedness of the living and deceased, as well as community engagement in grieving. Finally, (3) Coping with grief encompassed mechanisms that involve both shielding from grief and confronting it. Conclusion: Findings from this study are consistent with various theoretical and clinical findings on the complicated grief experience. In addition, findings shed light on the complex landscape of grief experiences among an ethnoracially diverse young adult population during the critical developmental stage of emerging adulthood, underscoring the necessity of culturally sensitive interventions and support systems tailored to address their distinct experiences.
Recommended Citation
Tarazi, Rona R., "The Shadow of Grief: Understanding Grief Among Ethnoracially Diverse Young Adults" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/1170