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Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders and Disasters

Secondary Stressors are Associated with Psychosocial Functioning Impairment and Grief Severity Following Loss

(PS11-A12) Secondary Stressors Are Associated with Psychosocial Functioning Impairment and Grief Severity Following Loss

Saturday, November 18, 2023
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PST
Location: Regency Ballroom, Level 7
Cascading secondary losses, such as financial loss, loss of social support, and loss of functioning due to illness, often occur after the loss of a loved one and affect adjustment to loss. However, these additional losses and stressors are frequently overlooked in the bereavement literature despite having a significant impact on psychosocial functioning across various domains contributing to post-loss adjustment. No studies to date have examined associations between psychosocial functioning, secondary losses and secondary stressors among bereaved adults, a population at risk for impairment in functioning and adverse mental health outcomes. It was hypothesized that experiencing multiple secondary losses would be associated with greater psychosocial functional impairment, including impairment with sleep and decision-making. It was also hypothesized that certain secondary losses and secondary stressors, including estrangement and financial loss, would be associated with impairment in psychosocial functioning. This study was a cross-sectional panel survey, and the participants consisted of 275 bereaved adults (59.4% female, Mage = 40.8) who completed a battery of questionnaires via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results indicated that impaired psychosocial functioning was significantly associated with the number of secondary losses experienced following the loss of a loved one, as well as the following secondary losses: (1) loss of a job, (2) loss of a hobby or avocation, (3) loss of functioning or change in lifestyle due to illness or injury, and (4) estrangement from a close friend. Impaired psychosocial functioning was also associated with secondary stressors in general and within the following domains: (1) finances/income, (2) social support, and (3) day-to-day life. Further, all of the aforementioned secondary losses and stressors were associated with increased Prolonged Grief Disorder symptoms. Impairments in psychosocial functioning, sleep and decision making were also associated with heightened grief symptoms among this population. Clinical recommendations include assessing for secondary losses and stressors among individuals who are experiencing bereavement. Future longitudinal studies on grief symptoms, secondary stressors and psychosocial functioning would inform the timing and targets of interventions following bereavement.