Models for understanding adolescent coping with bereavement

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Grief Studies

Background:

• Adolescent bereavement, often underestimated, necessitates better theoretical frameworks.
• Existing models inadequately connect adolescent development with coping mechanisms during grief.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and present models for understanding adolescent bereavement.
• To explore frameworks for defining and assessing recovery from grief in adolescents.
• To enhance scholarly and practical approaches to supporting bereaved adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of adolescent bereavement research.
• Analysis of three distinct theoretical models of grief and coping.
• Examination of empirical data from studies on bereaved adolescents.

Main Results:

• Three models were identified: grief linked to developmental tasks, adaptive tasks/coping skills, and sentiments for human wholeness.
• These models offer enhanced understanding of adolescent coping with bereavement.
• Empirical findings support the utility of these models in studying bereaved youth.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent bereavement is a significant issue requiring specialized theoretical models.
• The reviewed models provide valuable tools for researchers and clinicians.
• Further research should utilize these models to improve interventions for bereaved adolescents.