Grief, Self-Compassion and Coping styles among Younger and Older Adults

Abstract

Abstract: Experiencing loss of a loved one is the most painful experience that can have a long-lasting impact on individuals. Coping with such a loss could seem extremely difficult at first however with the right coping strategies. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how grief can have an impact on two categories of group namely; Younger and Older Adults and to further assess their self-compassion and coping strategies. With the help of tools such as “adult attitude to grief scale”, “the brief cope scale” and “the self-compassion scale” the data was generated from 100 Adults (50 younger and 50 older adults). In accordance with the research findings, it was found that the grief level was higher in younger adults who sort to use problem focused coping styles and had high level of self-compassion as compared to the older adults who tend to use more of avoidant focused coping styles and their grief levels were less than younger adults this could be due to more life experience and experience of loss more than younger adults. There existed a significant relationship between the three variables.