Content area
Abstract
The traditional grief work approach to mourning (Bow1by, 1980; Freud, 1917/1957; Raphael 1983) posits as adaptive the experience and expression of negative thoughts and emotions related to loss. Conversely, this approach predicts poor adaptation to loss when negative experiences are ignored or positive material is highlighted. Two studies of verbal disclosure provided minimal support for these assumptions (Pennebaker & O'Heeron, 1984; Pennebaker, Mayne, & Francis, 1997). Recent literature reviews questioned the usefulness of the approach (Bonanno, in press; W. Stroebe & Stroebe, 1991; Wortman & Silver, 1999) while recent prospective studies provided evidence contrary to the approach, linking experience and non-verbal expression of negative emotion early in bereavement to more severe grief and poorer health later in bereavement (Bonanno, Keltner, Holen, & Horowitz, 1995; Bonanno & Keltner 1997). Neither of these studies assessed the verbal disclosure component of mourning.
The present study explored the mediating effects of verbal disclosure at 6 months post-loss on interviewer-rated grief and self-reported distress and somatic symptoms at 6, 14, and 25 months post-loss. Sixty-seven participants spoke about their relationship with their deceased spouse. Audio recordings of the interview were transcribed and coded for type, valence, and intimacy of disclosure using an original coding system.
Zero-order correlations revealed associations between negative disclosure and higher grief, distress, and somatic symptoms over time; positive disclosure was associated with lower distress and somatic symptoms at 6 and 14 months, respectively. Similarly, partial correlations, controlling for initial symptom levels, revealed correlations between negative disclosure and increased symptoms over time. Regression analyses determined that disclosure of negative emotion at 6 months best predicted heightened distress and somatic symptoms at 25 months. Negative thoughts were the second best predictor of grief at 25 months, following initial grief All significant finding contradicted the grief work hypotheses. Additionally, post hoc analyses associated lack of perceived social support with disclosure of negative information.
These findings enhance an emerging body of evidence which suggests that talking about a loss without disclosing a great deal of negative information fosters adaptation to the loss. The results contribute preliminary support for the salutary effects of experiencing and expressing positive information related to the loss.
