From the field of psychology, theories have been developed that explain the grieving process and its determinants (Pastor, 2021). These theories provide a general orientation but cannot encompass the uniqueness of each case. Therefore, it is necessary to attend to each person in a specific way, respecting their individual experience of grief. Grieving involves an evolution, emotions, and psychological processes that are understood in general terms but have exclusive nuances for each individual. Understanding the theory can facilitate the process but does not determine the "how" for each person. This does not mean that grief will inevitably become complicated due to predictors of pathological grief. In correspondence with Pastor (2021), these factors can serve as an alert to explore grief more deeply and to observe its evolution, as well as the influence of that factor.
Risk and Protective Factors
The grief process and its likely course depend on a variety of circumstances surrounding the loss (Pastor, 2021). Among these circumstances, risk factors and protective factors are distinguished. The former are those that increase the likelihood of complicating grief when present in the bereaved, while the latter are those that facilitate grief when present in the context (Pastor, 2021). The development of grief is also determined by some elements related to the cause and environment of death, the personality and psychosocial resources of the mourner, the socio-family environment, and the type of relationship with the deceased (Guillem, Romero & Oliete, n.d.). These elements have been extensively researched and documented in the scientific literature (Pastor, 2021). Therefore, in accordance with Guillem, Romero & Oliete (n.d.), individuals at higher risk of not following the normal course of grief can be identified.
Factors that Can Complicate Bereavement
While responses in normal grief may modify and attenuate over time, responses in complicated grief remain or worsen (Ogliastri, 2020). This can lead to a state of persistent and intense mourning that hinders the recovery of the grieving individual (Ogliastri, 2020). According to Guillem, Romero & Oliete (n.d.) and Ogliastri (2020), risk factors that may lead to complicated grief include sudden, unexpected, or violent death, such as an accident, suicide, or murder; multiple or uncertain losses, such as when the body is not found; the death of a child or adolescent; mourners at extreme ages of life, overly dependent or with an ambivalent relationship with the deceased; a history of previous difficult grief, depression, or other mental illness; limited social-family support, real or perceived; limited personal resources or detachment from the traditional socio-religious support system.
The death of a loved one can also result in other associated losses (Ogliastri, 2020). For example, if the deceased was the head of the family, surviving family members may experience the loss of income, property, and social status, among others, making the grieving process more challenging (Ogliastri, 2020). These determinants illustrate the diversity of factors influencing the grieving process (Pastor, 2021). It is a complex and multidimensional process that affects all aspects of human existence. Therefore, professional attention to the mourner requires a detailed analysis of all factors surrounding the loss, as they all impact the development of the grieving individual (Pastor, 2021). In summary, according to Guillem, Romero & Oliete (n.d.), it is crucial to be attentive to the presence of one or more of these factors to prevent the development of complicated grief.
Complicated Grief and Personality
In addition to the different characteristics that surround the grieving process, it is crucial to consider personal factors when explaining the state of the mourner (Blanco, 2020). Thus, the risk of experiencing complicated grief increases when there is a greater emotional dependence on the deceased or when the personality is more neurotic and less extroverted. On the contrary, extroverted individuals may benefit from protective social factors, such as the support of their loved ones and the ability to narrate grief with more positive aspects, as long as they do not engage in externalizing behaviors, such as alcohol or drug consumption (Blanco, 2020). Therefore, Blanco (2020) emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations underlying the painful fixation on what is lost, as each person has unique reasons that bind them to what is no longer present.
References
Blanco, E. (2020). Duelo normal y duelo complicado. Persum Psicólogos Oviedo. Recuperado 3 October 2021, a partir de https://psicologosoviedo.com/especialidades/depresion/duelo-normal-y-duelo-complicado/#factores-de-riesgo-en-el-proceso-de-duelo
Guillem, V., Romero, R., & Oliete, E. MANIFESTACIONES DEL DUELO. Seom.org. Recuperado 3 October 2021, a partir de https://seom.org/seomcms/images/stories/recursos/sociosyprofs/documentacion/manuales/duelo/duelo08.pdf
Ogliastri, D. (2020). Périda y duelo durante la COVID-19. Recuperado 3 October 2021, a partir de https://pscentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/loss_grief_ES.pdf?wpv_search=true
Pastor, P. (2021). Factores que afectan al duelo de forma positiva o negativa. Fundación Mario Losantos del Campo. Recuperado 3 October 2021, a partir de https://www.fundacionmlc.org/factores-proceso-de-duelo-i/
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