Does worry affect adjustment to bereavement? A longitudinal investigation.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Bereavement Studies

Background:

• Repetitive thought is a risk factor for psychopathology.
• Research on bereavement has focused on rumination, not worry.
• The role of worry in grief adjustment is under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of worry in adjustment to bereavement.
• To examine the association between worry and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and prolonged grief.

Main Methods:

• 183 bereaved individuals completed questionnaires on worry and psychopathology symptoms.
• Participants were reassessed after six months.
• Multiple regression analyses examined concurrent and longitudinal associations.

Main Results:

• Worry was strongly positively associated with anxiety, depression, and prolonged grief concurrently.
• Worry longitudinally predicted higher levels of anxiety, depression, and prolonged grief.

Conclusions:

• Worry negatively influences adjustment to bereavement.
• Worry may be a therapeutic target in grief therapy, particularly for anxiety reduction.