Finding meaning in loss with a "wise" intervention for bereaved young adults
| Author(s) | Abbott, Caroline H. | |
| Date Accessioned | 2022-01-14T16:34:51Z | |
| Date Available | 2022-01-14T16:34:51Z | |
| Publication Date | 2021 | |
| SWORD Update | 2021-09-30T19:12:41Z | |
| Abstract | The death of a loved one often challenges the way individuals view themselves, their relationships, and their futures. Meaning Making (MM) and Meanings Made (MMd) are two potential mechanisms that lead to resolution following a loss, yet less is known about how interventions can help bereaved individuals cope and even grow. The current dissertation employed a series of brief, online experiments in three longitudinal studies. Participants were young adults aged 18 to 23 who reported having experienced the death of a close other more than 6 months ago. In Study 1 (N = 86), the efficacy of a standard intervention with three writing prompts (retell, ponder, reflect) was compared to a control intervention of three neutral writing prompts. While there were no direct condition effects on positive outcomes, writing about the loss increased mid-study MM, which, in turn, increased reports of gratitude at follow-up. In Study 2 (N = 169), the standard prompts were supplemented with a growth prompt and were compared to the standard prompts supplemented with a neutral prompt. There were no differences between the conditions and no evidence of mediation. In Study 3 (N = 48), the growth condition was compared to the standard prompts supplemented with a setback prompt. Again, there were no differences between the conditions and no evidence of mediation. In all three studies, complicated grief was tested as a moderator but yielded null results. Lastly, a series of mini-meta analyses indicated a consistent trend in which MM and MMd at mid-treatment predicted more increase in positive emotions about the loss. ☐ Keywords: Bereavement, meaning making, WISE intervention, narratives | en_US |
| Advisor | Kobak, R. Rogers | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/6y39-qs89 | |
| Unique Identifier | 1292075223 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/30008 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://login.udel.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/finding-meaning-loss-with-wise-intervention/docview/2587920656/se-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Loss | en_US |
| Keywords | Wise intervention | en_US |
| Keywords | Bereaved young adults | |
| Title | Finding meaning in loss with a "wise" intervention for bereaved young adults | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |