Grief and Coping Strategies: The Impact of Culture and Age on Coping Strategies of Bereaved Individuals

Abstract

Losing a significant other is a very stressful life event for people and all individuals engage in diverse coping ways in order to deal with the intense emotions caused by the bereavement. In the present study, it is examined if the age differences and cultural differences would have an effect on whether the bereaved individuals would engage in positive reappraisal or escape-avoidance. Bereaved individuals from Turkey and the United States who experienced the death of a significant other in the last 5 years have participated in this study. The correlation between age and coping strategies was found to be non-significant. There was no significant interaction effect of cultural background and age on coping strategies. The finding of the study has conflicted with the previous studies that suggested the age and cultural background of the bereaved would have an effect on coping strategies.