The stigmatization of prolonged grief disorder and disenfranchised grief: A vignette-based experimental study.

People with prolonged grief disorder (PGD) are at risk of public stigma, but research has yet to examine whether stigma is shaped by different types of relationship losses. In an experimental study, we asked participants (N = 306) to read three scenarios in which targets lost their romantic partner, child, or companion animal. Targets with PGD (vs. integrated grief) elicited more negative emotional reactions and attributions, and their experiences were perceived as less legitimate. Targets who lost their companion animal (vs. other relationship losses) were perceived as the most sensitive and their grief as the least legitimate, but they also elicited the lowest prosocial and fear reactions and were perceived as the warmest. Lastly, targets with PGD who lost their companion animal (vs. other relationship losses) elicited more negative emotional reactions and attributions, and their experiences were perceived as less legitimate. Implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed.

The Role of Perceived Social Support in the Grief Experiences of More Anxious and Self-Compassionate People.

Past research showed that high trait anxiety and low self-compassion, along with lack of perceived social support, have been associated with experiencing stronger grief symptoms. However, research is yet to understand if and how these factors interact among grieving individuals. Results of a cross-sectional study (N = 539) showed that perceived social support interacted differently with trait anxiety and self-compassion to shape grief experiences. Unexpectedly, perceived social support did not buffer the association between higher trait anxiety and stronger grief symptoms. Instead, participants with higher trait anxiety reported stronger symptoms only when they perceived to have less social support. In contrast, participants with higher self-compassion reported less symptoms when they perceived to have more social support. These findings show that social support can emphasize the detrimental role of anxiety and the protective role of self-compassion when people are coping with a loss. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.