Meaning Integration and Grief Trajectories Within in the First Two Years Among Chinese: Latent Growth Modeling

Abstract

Studies on grief trajectories within the first two years following loss are limited, especially among eastern cultures. This study aims to examine distinct grief trajectories among Chinese bereaved individuals as well as the factors predicting them. The data were collected in three waves over 18 months and involved 181 participants who completed measures of grief, meaning integration, and demographic and death-related information. Latent class growth analysis was utilized to identify grief trajectories. Univariate logistical regression and multivariate logistical regression were used to investigate the predictors. Four grief trajectories were identified: resilient (44.19%), chronic (17.15%), recovery (31.71%), and delayed (6.32%). Meaning integration at six months following loss distinguished the chronic trajectory from the resilient group, but not from the recovery group. Meaning integration at 12 months distinguished the chronic trajectory from the resilient trajectory and the recovery trajectory. However, it did not differentiate delayed pattern from recovery or resilient classes. These findings emphasize the need for caution in predicting grief trajectories by meaning integration early in the bereavement process.