Expectancy of Spousal Death and Adjustment to Conjugal Bereavement

This study examined the impact of subjective & objective expectancy on adjustment to spousal bereavement, while addressing the methodological problems of previous studies. At six months postbereavement, 97 midlife bereaved adults responded to interview questions regarding expectancy of their spouse’s death. They also completed the Beck Depression Inventory & Texas Revised Inventory of Grief at 6, 13, & 25 months postbereavement. Greater objective expectancy was associated with lower symptoms at all three postbereavement periods. Subjective expectancy was not related to symptoms, however. The clinical implications of objective expectancy’s role on bereavement-related adjustment are addressed. (48 refs.)