The role of threatening misinterpretations and avoidance in emotional problems after loss
Abstract
There is uncertainty about the role of avoidance behaviours in recovery from loss. Some authors have noted that avoidance exacerbates grief, whereas others have claimed that avoidance, at some times during the grieving process, can foster recovery. In the current study, it was hypothesized that avoidance behaviours are particularly detrimental when mourners have threatening misinterpretations about the consequences of confronting the loss, but less detrimental when mourners do not have such misinterpretations. To test this hypothesis, 400 mourners completed questionnaires tapping threatening misinterpretations, avoidance, and complicated grief (CG) and depression. In support of the prediction, situational avoidance, ruminative avoidance, and efforts to maintain ties with the deceased were only linked with depression in those who strongly endorsed misinterpretations. In addition, misinterpretations magnified the associations of ruminative avoidance and efforts to continue ties, with CG. Findings suggest that avoidance interacts with threatening misinterpretations in affecting particular emotional problems after loss.
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Negative loss-related cognitions and avoidance behaviors are related to complicated grief reactions, including PGS.
“Studies have shown that negative loss-related cognitions and avoidance behaviors are related to complicated grief reactions, including PGS (e.g., Boelen et al., 2003a, 2003b; Boelen and Lenferink, 2020; Boelen and Van Den Hout, 2008).”
From Group-based compassion-focused therapy for prolonged grief symptoms in adults – Results from a randomized controlled trial (2022) · cites this paper as Boelen and Van Den Hout, 2008
One cross-sectional survey found a negative concurrent association between loss-related thought suppression and complicated grief symptoms.
“One cross-sectional survey demonstrated a negative concurrent association between lossrelated thought suppression and CG symptoms (Boelen & van den Hout, 2008)”
From Emotion Regulatory Strategies in Complicated Grief: A Systematic Review (2021) · cites this paper as Boelen & van den Hout, 2008
In another survey, avoidance of loss-related situations was unrelated to complicated grief symptoms.
“In another survey, avoidance of loss-related situations were unrelated to CG symptoms (Boelen &van den Hout, 2008).”
From Emotion Regulatory Strategies in Complicated Grief: A Systematic Review (2021) · cites this paper as Boelen & van den Hout, 2008
Grief rumination and its subtypes generally show moderate to large positive associations with complicated grief symptoms concurrently and longitudinally.
“Grief rumination and its subtypes generally show moderate to large positive associations with CG symptoms concurrently and longitudinally (Boelen, 2012; Boelen &van den Hout, 2008; Doering et al., 2018; Eisma et al., 2013; Eisma, Schut, et al., 2015; Johnsen et al., 2018; Pohlkamp et al., 2018; Tang et al., 2019; van der Houwen et al., 2010).”
From Emotion Regulatory Strategies in Complicated Grief: A Systematic Review (2021) · cites this paper as Boelen & van den Hout, 2008
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References 30 · Cited by 33
- Authors
- Boelen, P. A., & van den Hout, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Boelen, Paul A.
- ORCID
- Boelen, Paul A.
- Venue
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2007-12-17
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 71-87
- ISSN
- 1352-4658 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1833
- OpenAlex
- W2013630395
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 2.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- avoidance behavior, complicated grief, depression, bereavement, grief
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