| dc.description.abstract | (Un)expectedness of loss is an important risk factor to take into consideration when predicting bereavement outcomes. The literature presents with inconsistent findings, whether expected or unexpected loss has a more detrimental effect during one’s bereavement. In this study we aim at investigating the concept of perceived (un)expectedness with the addition of underlying dimensions: a chance to say goodbye, discussing practicalities, a formal cause of death, the untimeliness of the loss, and the impact of caregiving experiences. Further, the loss of someone close is an inevitable experience universally, in our study bereavement outcomes among different countries are investigated with respect to (un)expectedness. The sample consisted of 268 participants from 4 countries: Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, and Turkey, divided into two groups according to uncertainty avoidance levels. The result analysis showed that perceived unexpectedness predicts higher levels of grief when tested alone, nevertheless, it ceased to be significant when additional (un)expectedness related aspects were added. A chance to say goodbye, losing one’s parent and age of the deceased were significant predictors of bereavement outcome in the final model. No differences between countries were found in terms of (un)expectedness. The (un)expectedness of a loss can be seen as an umbrella covering its underlying dimensions, our findings confirm the importance of considering the latter when evaluating the unexpectedness. | |
