Preparing for the Inevitable: Investigating the Role of Anticipatory Grief and Psychological Flexibility on Mental Well-Being
Loading...
Date
2025-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Anticipatory grief (AG) arises when individuals process emotions before an expected loss, often due to terminal illness or decline. Various factors influence AG, including coping strategies and psychological flexibility (PF), which is the ability to stay present and adapt behaviour to align one’s behaviours with personal values. PF may help mitigate AG by reducing experiential avoidance (EA), the tendency to suppress distressing thoughts. Research examining the impact of AG on psychological well-being after a loss is mixed. Thus, the primary goal of this study was to examine the impact of AG and bereavement on the well-being of individuals who experienced either sudden or anticipated loss of a loved one within the past 24 months. A total of 195 participants completed a questionnaire package to assess variables associated with bereavement, anxiety, depression, coping, and PF. Results indicated that individuals who experienced an anticipated loss reported lower anxiety and higher overall PF than those with sudden loss. AG, bereavement, and EA were correlated with depression and anxiety. Interestingly, PF and coping were not positively correlated. Regression analyses indicated that bereavement, not AG, significantly predicted anxiety and depression. Aspects of PF and EA accounted for significant variance in models predicting anxiety. Qualitative responses describing relationship to the deceased provided further support that AG exacerbates depression and anxiety. Overall, the findings highlight the need to understand the distinction between bereavement and AG, emphasizing AG’s unique emotional impact on anxiety in those facing an expected loss.
Description
Keywords
anticipatory grief, bereavement, psychological flexibility, coping, psychological well-being