Psychological Aspects of Bereavement in Adults: Preliminary Development of the Bereavement Experiences Index

Abstract

This study's aim was to produce a measure of the cognitive and affective impact of bereavement and to investigate the psychometric properties and potential utility of the measure. Using a mixed correlational and comparative design, the bereavement experiences of widows who had time to anticipate their partner's death were compared with those who had no such time. In the first stage of this two-stage study, seven widows completed semi-structured interviews regarding bereavement-related cognitions and affect. A set of bereavement-related statements was derived and formed the Bereavement Experiences Index (BEI). In the second stage, the BEI and a measure of psychological disturbance were administered to 20 additional widows. Unexpected bereavement led to greater psychological impact than expected loss although longer periods of expectation were positively correlated with higher levels of grief-related social dysfunction symptoms. This preliminary version of the BEI showed potential as a measure of grief responses with predictable links to psychological distress. The findings suggested a relationship between the time available to prepare for a loss and the development of psychological disturbance.