The role of culture in grief

Reports of the effects of the death of a loved one were collected from subjects at the University of Massachusetts in the United States and the University of Madrid in Spain. Although reports of the overall severity of the experience were similar, differences between the samples were apparent in the specific nature of the experience. Americans indicated that, following the death of a loved one, their self-esteem was diminished, as was their liking and trust of others. In contrast, Spaniards reported a greater negative effect on self-esteem and a positive effect on liking and trust of others. The role of culture in the experience of bereavement is discussed.