Communication comforting strategies and social bereavement: Verbal and nonverbal planning and appropriateness

Abstract

Based on Applegate's (1980) hierarchy of comforting strategies, this study assessed the effects of verbal planning (e.g., Berger & Bell, 1988; Infante, 1980) and nonverbal planning on the perceived appropriateness of comforting communication. Participants indicated their verbal and nonverbal communication strategies in response to a hypothetical bereavement scenario, and these strategies were coded into Apple-gate's (1980) hierarchy. Bereavement counselors also rated the appropriateness of each respondent's comforting message strategies. Results are discussed in terms of reflection-enhancing relational strategies and the bereavement counselors' perspectives of the effects on surviving family members.