Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Perceived self-competency among the recently bereaved
Rebecca L Utz1, Dale A Lund, Michael S Caserta
1Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Rebecca.utz@utah.edu
Abstract:
In this study, the authors identified personal resources, features of the marital relationship, and death circumstances that affected perceived self-competency among recently bereaved older adults. Data came from 328 widowed persons who participated in the "Living After Loss" project. Results suggested that those who had more personal resources--namely, income and good health--were the most competent in daily life tasks. Surprisingly, neither death forewarning nor marital quality improved competency after widowhood. Higher competency was associated with more positive mental health outcomes, suggesting that grief is complicated by the need to enhance and/or restore daily life activities as well as the need to deal with the sadness associated with the loss.
Related Concept Videos
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
The resilience...
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Self-Esteem
Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback