Study takes a new look at the stage theory of grief

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Negative emotions after bereavement tend to decline after six months.
People feel a range of different emotions after the loss of a loved one. Psychological researchers have tried to make sense of the grieving experience with the stage theory. This describes how the bereaved person passes through disbelief, yearning, anger, depression and, finally, acceptance. Now a team at Yale University has explored the stage theory with 233 individuals who had recently lost a loved one.

The most frequently reported emotions were acceptance, and yearning. Disbelief did not figure largely in the participants' experience, contrary to what was previously believed. What is more, six months seemed to be the time it took for all the negative emotions to decline. The researchers suggest that grief that does not at least start to lift after six months may indicate difficulty in adjustment to the death. Those who fall into this category may need extra help and support.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 21st February 2007 Volume 297 pages 716-723

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