Life After the Storm: An Examination of Bereavement and Posttraumatic Growth Among Urban Adolescents

Although the challenges of bereavement among adolescents are well-documented, there is potential for loss to foster growth, development, and positive psychological changes during this developmental period. To examine this possibility, 408 adolescents (46.6% male; 53.4% female) in grades 6-12 from three urban schools were surveyed about their experiences with bereavement and posttraumatic growth (PTG), along with several hypothesized moderators: type of loss, relationship with the deceased, active and ruminative coping, and social support. Seventy-six percent of the participants reported signs of PTG. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed significant main effects for bereavement, active coping, and social support on PTG, but found no evidence of moderation for any variables. The findings are discussed in the context of systemic racism and cultural strengths, with directions for future research provided.