Citation

Sawyer JS, Brewster ME. Death Stud. 2019; 43(4): 224-234.

Affiliation

a Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College , Columbia University , New York , NY.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2018.1446061

PMID

29509067

Abstract

The present study examines how meaning and belief in God or god(s) is related to bereavement outcomes. Data from 299 participants residing in the U.S. indicated that the variables of search for meaning, presence of meaning, and belief in God or god(s) were significantly related to posttraumatic growth, complicated grief, and psychological distress.

RESULTS from this study can be used to identify appropriate clinical strategies for mental health practitioners working with bereaved clients, and will deepen the breadth of literature on bereavement with atheist populations in the U.S.

Language: en

Keywords

atheists; bereavement; grief; meaning in life; posttraumatic growth