Managing Grief After Disaster (Part 3)
Complications of Bereavement
Bereavement is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems. Among these are the following:
- Prolonged or traumatic grief
- Onset or recurrence of major depressive disorder
- Onset or recurrence of panic disorder or other anxiety disorders
- Possible increased vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Alcohol and other substance abuse
- Smoking, poor nutrition, or low levels of exercise
- Suicidal ideation
- Onset or worsening of health problems, especially cardiovascular and immunologic dysfunction
Risk Factors for Complications of Bereavement
Risk factors are those aspects of a situation that tend to increase vulnerability to complications and that may slow recovery. Risk factors relate to the characteristics of an individual, the nature of the relationship to the deceased, the circumstances of the death, and the social context within which recovery takes place. Some risk factors relate to the larger situation in which the bereaved finds oneself, and some risk factors relate to the bereaved individual's specific history and makeup. While both kinds of risk factors raise the distress level of the bereaved person, it is useful for clinicians to be particularly aware of the bereaved's individual situation. The following have been identified as risk factors.
Demographic Factors
- Socioeconomic status—Lower socioeconomic status is related to a poorer health status in general. Bereavement affects people similarly, regardless of socioeconomic status.
- Age—Bereavement is somewhat more stressful for younger individuals than it is for older individuals, with the exception of elderly people. The disparity between how older individuals are affected and how elderly people are affected may be because the stress experienced by elderly people is related to preexisting health problems.
- Gender—Men, especially widowers, have more bereavement-related health problems than women, especially when dealing specifically with the loss of a spouse. Although both men and women are deeply affected by the loss of close family members and friends, the death of a child may be more difficult for mothers than for fathers. Women may also recognize the effects of bereavement more readily than men, and men and women may cope differently.
- Individual characteristics—Overall, individuals who have low internal control are generally more depressed. This is not specific for bereavement, however. On the other hand, high internal control does not act as a buffer for bereavement-related distress. A belief in life after death may be protective. Guilt or self-blame about the death may contribute to traumatic grief.
- Relationship quality—Relationship quality may affect men and women differently when it comes to difficulty with bereavement. A good marriage may result in more bereavement-related problems in women, while the opposite may be true for men. In general, it is not supported that bereavement problems occur because of ambivalence or problems in a relationship. In some instances, an especially positive relationship may be associated with very difficult bereavement reactions.
Circumstances of the Death
Not surprisingly, sudden death is associated with more symptoms of bereavement difficulty in the first 6 months after the loss. A low internal control signifies a greater likelihood for difficulty for younger bereaved spouses. There can also be continuing distress from the loss for many years following a sudden, violent loss. Experiencing multiple losses or witnessing the death (especially a factor for children who witness a death) can correlate with levels of grief intensity. Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, survivor guilt, threat to one's own life, confrontation with the massive and shocking deaths and mutilations of others, and a violation of one's assumptive world of safety and meaning are traumatic factors that may impact a person's ability to resolve grief.
Social Context
Both perceived and received social support are related to lower symptoms of depression in the general population, but there does not appear to be a specific relationship between social support and bereavement outcome. However, it is important to note that bereaved individuals often perceive that others lack empathy and that others are hostile about the bereaved's continued symptoms. In general, social support and positive family functioning, along with the opportunity to express grief, may help to mitigate the negative effects of bereavement.
Shear, K. (Updated 2022, October 6). Managing grief after disaster. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.ptsd.va.gov