Abstract:
The importance of the achievement of personal resolution following bereavement-related loss and grief is well documented in the professional bereavement literature. Personal resolution refers to the achievement of an improved state of adjustment following a death that is acceptable for each bereaved person. The variables of interest in this study were participation in individual counseling, participation in grief-support groups, perceived helpfulness of social support, and overall level of hope. This research also addressed whether personal resolution following bereavement-related loss and grief differed based on race and differed based on the relationship to the deceased. Data were collected from individuals who were bereaved between six and 18 months (n = 114). The results of this study did not fully support individual counseling as significant to personal resolution following bereavement-related loss and grief. Nevertheless, this study added support for participation in grief support groups and revealed a high correlation between perceived level of social support and personal grief-resolution. Further, this study provided support for the bereft's overall level of hope as significant to personal resolution of bereavement-related grief. Lastly, this study showed personal resolution following bereavement-related loss and grief does not differ based on racial/ethnic background or relationship to the deceased.
