Coping Strategies as Moderators of Bereavement Experience and Psychological disorders in Mothers who have Lost their Child in a Short Time

Authors

    Masoumeh Sheikh Choukami1, * Department of Psychology, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran masume.mm.sh@gmail.com
    Abbas Hasiri Rizi2, Department of Psychology, Isfahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
    Fatemeh Sadat Heidarieh3, Department of psychology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
    Masoumeh HoseinAbadi4, Department of Psychology, Alborz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
    Zahra Dabbaghha Department of Psychology, Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Keywords:

Bereavement, Coping strategies, Psychological disorders

Abstract

Objective: Losing a child is incredibly distressing for a mother, causing more intense and complicated grief compared to other types of loss. This study aims to examine how coping strategies can help alleviate the emotional burden of losing a child and reduce the risk of developing mental health issues in mothers who have recently experienced this tragedy. Methods and Materials: The current study utilized a descriptive-correlational research approach and a cross-sectional research design, using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The statistical population for this study consisted of mothers who had experienced the loss of a child within a short timeframe (between one to six years) due to various causes. These mothers resided in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, and data collection occurred between July and November of 2023. A sample of 111 individuals was selected using a convenient method. The research instruments employed included the coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ), Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL90). The researchers used SPSS version 27 software to conduct descriptive statistics. They analyzed path and standard coefficients using SmartPLS version 4 and Jamovi software version 2.4.14. Findings: According to the findings, the variable of Coping strategies played a significant role as a moderator in the relationship between the guilt variable and Psychoticism (β=-0.354, P<0.001). Similarly, coping strategies also served as a significant moderator for the relationship between Judgment and Psychoticism (β=-0.177, P=0.004). Additionally, coping strategies played a notable role as a moderator for the relationship between Shame and Psychoticism (β=-0.149, P=0.022). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it is crucial to grasp the Bereavement Experience encountered by individuals and how coping strategies for dealing with it and having a network of support can assist mothers who have lost a loved one.  

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Azim Oghlui Oskooi, P. B., Farahbakhsh, K., & Moradi, O. (2021). Effective fields the experience of mourning after the death of a family member: a phenomenological study. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 12(45), 117-160. https://doi.org/10.22054/qccpc.2020.48664.2275

Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1984). Coping, stress, and social resources among adults with unipolar depression. Journal of personality and social psychology, 46(4), 877. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.46.4.877

Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587

Derogatis, L. R. (1994). SCL-90-R: Symptom Checklist-90-R: Administration, Scoring and Procedures Manual . National Computer Systems. Inc.: Minneapolis, MN, USA.

E. Bailley, Katherine Dunham, Michael J. Kral, S. (2000). Factor structure of the grief experience questionnaire (GEQ). Death studies, 24(8), 721-738. https://doi.org/10.1080/074811800750036596

Eslami, N., Lal Alizadeh, F., Mohammadzadeh, S., & Nazari, M. S. (2023). Evaluation of mental health of dental students in Mashhad School of Dentistry by SCL-90 questionnaire, 2020-2021. Journal of Mashhad Dental School, 47(4), 352-370. https://doi.org/10.22038/jmds.2023.66953.2194

Fisher, J. E., Zhou, J., Zuleta, R. F., Fullerton, C. S., Ursano, R. J., & Cozza, S. J. (2020). Coping strategies and considering the possibility of death in those bereaved by sudden and violent deaths: Grief severity, depression, and posttraumatic growth. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, 749. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00749

Guerrero-Barona, E., Guerrero-Molina, M., Chambel, M. J., Moreno-Manso, J. M., Bueso-Izquierdo, N., & Barbosa-Torres, C. (2021). Suicidal ideation and mental health: the moderating effect of coping strategies in the police force. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(15), 8149. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158149

Hochman, Y., Segev, E., Regev, I., Zafrani, Y., Sharfi, Y., & Elkayam, A. (2022). Bereaved mothers and widows’ grief and their unfolding relationships: Implications for social work. Journal of Social Work, 22(6), 1323-1344. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173221101272

Joaquim, R. M., Pinto, A. L., Guatimosim, R. F., de Paula, J. J., Costa, D. S., Diaz, A. P., ... & Malloy-Diniz, L. F. (2021). Bereavement and psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemics: The impact of death experience on mental health. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 2, 100019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2021.100019

Juhari, J. A., Gill, J. S., & Francis, B. (2022, September). Coping strategies and mental disorders among the LGBT+ community in Malaysia. In Healthcare (Vol. 10, No. 10, p. 1885). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101885

Kim, M. A., Yi, J., Sang, J., & Lee, S. Y. (2024). Coming to Terms: Korean Mothers’ Adaptation to Child Loss from Cancer. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2024(1), 8810306. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8810306

Kirui, K. M., & Lister, O. N. (2021). Lived experiences of mothers following a perinatal loss. Midwifery, 99, 103007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103007

Kokou-Kpolou, C. K., Moukouta, C. S., Masson, J., Bernoussi, A., Cénat, J. M., & Bacqué, M. F. (2020). Correlates of grief-related disorders and mental health outcomes among adult refugees exposed to trauma and bereavement: A systematic review and future research directions. Journal of Affective Disorders, 267, 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.02.026

Machado, E. S., de Araújo, T. M., de Sousa, C. C., Freitas, A. M. C., de Oliveira Souza, F., & Lua, I. (2022). Occupational stress and common mental disorders: how do coping strategies work?. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Trabalho, 20(2), 195. 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-680

Maresca, G., Corallo, F., Catanese, G., Formica, C., & Lo Buono, V. (2022). Coping strategies of healthcare professionals with burnout syndrome: a systematic review. Medicina, 58(2), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020327

Mathieu, S., Todor, R., De Leo, D., & Kõlves, K. (2022). Coping styles utilized during suicide and sudden death bereavement in the first six months. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(22), 14709. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214709

McNeil, M. J., Baker, J. N., Snyder, I., Rosenberg, A. R., & Kaye, E. C. (2021). Grief and bereavement in fathers after the death of a child: a systematic review. Pediatrics, 147(4). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-040386

Mosavian, E., & Nejati, S. F. (2016). The investigation of facial affect recognition in people with psychological symptoms based on SCL-90-R scale. Social cognition, 5(1), 113-129. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.23223782.1395.5.1.8.8

Onaolapo, E. S., Boateng, E. A., Apiribu, F., & Dzomeku, V. M. (2020). Experiences and coping strategies of perinatally bereaved mothers with the loss. International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 12(2), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJNM2020.0420

Ravanpoor, J., Mahmoudian, L., Bagheri, P., & Babajani Gavzan, J. (2022). The effectiveness of reality therapy on the experience of grief and psychological resilience among the families of the deceased of Coronavirus. Journal of Applied Family Therapy, 2(Covid-19 articles collection)), 203-214. https://doi.org/10.22034/aftj.2022.325318.1355

Rodrigues, L., Lima, D. D., Jesus, J. V. F. D., Lavorato Neto, G., Turato, E. R., & Campos, C. J. G. (2020). Understanding bereavement experiences of mothers facing the loss of newborn infants. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil, 20, 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-93042020000100005

Savadi, Z., Bahmani, B., & Zadehmohammadi, A. (2021). Effectiveness of “unity-oriented psychology concepts instruction” on reducing depression and increasing spiritual well-being in bereaved mothers. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 12(46), 259-280. https://doi.org/10.22054/qccpc.2020.47787.2240

Soltani, E., Shareh, H., Bahrainian, S. A., & Farmani, A. (2013). The mediating role of cognitive flexibility in correlation of coping styles and resilience with depression. Pajoohandeh Journal, 18(2), 88-96. http://pajoohande.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-1518-fa.html

Wagner, B., Hofmann, L., & Grafiadeli, R. (2021). The relationship between guilt, depression, prolonged grief, and posttraumatic stress symptoms after suicide bereavement. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(11), 2545-2558. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23192

Wang, C., Havewala, M., & Zhu, Q. (2024). COVID-19 stressful life events and mental health: Personality and coping styles as moderators. Journal of American College Health, 72(4), 1068-1077. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2066977

Downloads

Published

2025-11-25

Submitted

2025-02-03

Revised

2025-04-11

Accepted

2025-04-20

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Sheikh Choukami1, M., Hasiri Rizi2, A., Heidarieh3, F. S., HoseinAbadi4, M., & Dabbaghha, Z. (2025). Coping Strategies as Moderators of Bereavement Experience and Psychological disorders in Mothers who have Lost their Child in a Short Time. Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology, 1-14. https://qijes.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/1359

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1-10 of 192

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.