The nature of grief: Loss of love relationships in young adulthood

Abstract

Grieving following the loss of a love relationship in young adulthood was examined. College students completed the loss version of the Grief Experience Inventory (GEI), another questionnaire, and an adaptation of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG). The results indicated that the more intimate the relationship had been, the greater the grief experienced. In addition, the more marriage had been considered, the greater the grief. Grief was disenfranchised primarily by family members, unless marriage had been considered. Few gender differences were seen, except that women both considered marriage and initiated the breakup more often. The specific feelings attached to the grieving were noted more often on the TRIG adaptation than on the GEI. The findings point to the significance of recognizing grief reactions in counseling and psychotherapy for depression in young adults.