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What Is The Impact Of Individuals Experiencing Grief On The Emotional, Psychological,

and Social Well-being of Those Around Them?

Jodens Monereau

PS301 Social Psychology

Professor Kenneth Schwartz

Park University

April 21, 2024

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Abstract

This study explores the multifaceted nature of grief and its profound impact on individuals,

relationships, and workplaces. With a backdrop of societal acknowledgment of death's

inevitability, particularly highlighted by the recent global pandemic, the study delves into the

complexities of mourning experiences and the necessity for deeper understanding and support.

Traditionally, grief has been framed within stages, as proposed by Kübler-Ross, but recent

scholarship, led by Christopher Hall, challenges this linear model, advocating for a more

nuanced approach that recognizes individual differences and the diverse needs of bereaved

individuals. Hall's Task-Based Model, as well as Carlo V. Bellieni's discussions on pathological

and complicated grief, shed light on the importance of tailored interventions and support

systems. Furthermore, the study explores the cultural dimensions of grief, emphasizing the

influence of cultural norms and practices on mourning rituals and expressions. The impact of

emotional contagion is also examined, highlighting how the emotions of bereaved individuals

can permeate social environments, affecting the psychological well-being of others. Moreover,

the study investigates the ripple effects of grief in the workplace, particularly focusing on

bereavement leave policies and coping mechanisms. The findings underscore the need for

organizational support and accommodation for grieving employees, as well as the potential

consequences of overwork as a coping mechanism. Drawing from diverse perspectives in

psychology, sociology, and organizational studies, this study contributes to a deeper

understanding of grief and underscores the importance of holistic support systems for individuals

navigating through loss in various contexts.

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Many are familiar with the famous saying that has echoed in their ears since childhood:

"There are two things guaranteed in life, taxes, and death." While one may never know when

their time will come, it is understood that someday it inevitably will. It's somewhat easier to

accept this reality for oneself, but it never becomes easier when faced with the loss of a loved

one—a parent, partner, friend, or even a pet. Discussing death is not a simple task, let alone

putting words to paper about it. However, society has come to realize the immense importance of

having these conversations and gaining a deeper understanding of such profound experiences. It

has been four years since the onset of the largest pandemic in modern history, a tragic period that

claimed the lives of millions in its first year alone and left countless others in a state of shock due

to the sudden loss of their loved ones.

Today, more than ever, people find themselves grappling with a significant number of

individuals experiencing grief and navigating through a season of mourning. As the world

gradually returns to a semblance of normalcy, with people resuming work, school, and daily

routines, it is crucial to reflect on the impact that grief has on the emotional, psychological, and

social well-being of those who aren’t mourning. This study delves into how individuals behave

while mourning, whether they allocate enough time for grieving, how their performance is

affected in various settings such as work and social environments, the ripple effects on those

around them, and most importantly, how better support can be offered to them during such

challenging times.

The Basics of Grief

When studying grief there are a few basic things to understand. First, no one grieves the

same way and everyone's mourning period is different. In 1969 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross came up

with what is widely known today as “The Five Stages of Grief''. Each stage symbolizes what an
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individual is currently experiencing and explains it. First, there is denial, when the death of a

person or thing has not resonated with the bereaved individual, followed by anger, when the loss

erupts in their emotions. Then, there is bargaining, when the bereaved individual is essentially

trying to find a way to bring their loved one back. Lastly, the final two stages, are depression and

acceptance. There is no set timetable for each stage and how long someone is going to spend in

each of them(Hall, 2014). Some take years on a stage and many argue that no one fully accepts

the loss, it just becomes their new reality.

Ever since Kübler-Ross came out with this concept, it has become the norm on how to

view a bereaved individual, however, many are starting to combat that notion as it is becoming

clear, that there isn’t just one way someone graves. Christopher Hall challenges the traditional

norms of grief and its stages, arguing that the standard five stages of grief do not accurately

describe how individuals mourn and heal. He contends that stage models fail to address the

multiplicity of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs experienced by bereaved

individuals, their families, and intimate networks (Hall, 2014). Hall believes that grief cannot be

simply categorized, and the notion of "letting go" is harmful.

By creating stages for grief, one expects it to be something transient rather than a process

of healing. Moreover, Hall emphasizes that certain losses, such as suicide, the loss of a child,

unexpected deaths, or those involving violence or trauma, pose significant challenges for the

bereaved, potentially disenfranchising them and complicating the bereavement experience (Hall,

2014). He urges those assisting bereaved individuals to recognize their unique reactions, needs,

and challenges, advocating for an approach that considers individual and family coping with loss

individually (Hall, 2014). Hall also suggests using the Task-Based Model developed by Worden
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(2008) when dealing with bereaved individuals. Worden proposes that grieving should be viewed

as an active process involving engagement with four tasks: accepting the reality of the loss,

processing the pain of grief, adjusting to a world without the deceased (including internal,

external, and spiritual adjustments), and finding an enduring connection with the deceased while

embarking on a new life.

Additionally, Worden identifies seven critical factors to understand the client's experience,

including who the deceased was, the nature of the attachment to the deceased, how the person

died, historical antecedents, personality variables, social mediators, and concurrent stressors. The

primary focus is to advocate for treating bereaved individuals differently from traditional norms,

thereby mediating the toll it can take on individuals assisting in the grieving process.

Pathological Grief

Carlo V. Bellieni discusses other forms of grief and times when clinical intervention may

be needed. Bellieni explains pathological grief as grief that occurs when depressive symptoms

persist for an extended period after a loss, potentially leading to emotional problems or

psychopathological disorders(Bellieni, 2023). Properly addressing grief through social, familial,

and personal expression of emotions, as well as engaging in rituals, can prevent the development

of pathological grief and facilitate natural grief processes.

Symptoms of pathological grief include prolonged feelings of guilt and self-reproach, as

well as inappropriate anger that may manifest as a desire for revenge(Bellieni, 2023). Western

societies' emphasis on forced happiness can hinder the healthy expression of grief, leading to

denial and repression of emotions. Bellieni also talks about complicated grief, discussing how it

affects about 7% of bereaved individuals, involves persistent rumination about the circumstances

of the death, and excessive avoidance of reminders of the loss, requiring intervention and support
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from clinicians(Bellieni, 2023). Bellieni also discusses communicating with depressed children

or parents, emphasizing the distinction between grief and major depressive disorder. He

highlights the importance of recognizing grief and depression separately, as their symptoms and

impacts differ. However, the journey of grief can lead to a sense of self-loss, helplessness, and

emotional anguish, making it challenging to establish supportive relationships. The risk of

suicide, especially in severe depressive episodes, is also addressed. Additionally, interventions

aimed at families and caregivers are necessary, emphasizing the need for education, support, and

self-awareness among caregivers assisting individuals with depression.

Culture and Grief

It is also important to know how a person's culture affects the way they grieve. Tony

Walter provides a set of questions that we should ask and consider when dealing with a bereaved

person, such as how they handle the deceased, who holds significance in mourning, the role of

the mourner, and what cultural practices dictate regarding the deceased, among other aspects. In

his article he addresses how in pre-Communist days, respect for the ancestors meant mourning

customs dictated that one should only grieve for those older than oneself; for instance, it was

deemed appropriate to mourn the passing of fathers but not children (Walter, 2010). Similarly,

within Western societies, norms regarding mourning have evolved over time. In the 19th century,

affluent women were expected to mourn the loss of their husband's father for a longer duration

compared to the loss of their own infant(Walter, 2010). This underscores the complex interplay

between cultural values and personal experiences in the grieving journey.

Take for example the Islamic religion and how they believe that one who only mourns for

a few days, as not cause an attachment to the deceased and causes them and their soul to be

delayed in going to the afterlife. Several religions, such as Islam, restrict the outward display of
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grief to the initial days after a death(Wikan, 1988) This limitation stems from the concern that

the emotional ties of the living may impede the departed soul's journey. However, the degree to

which this directive is adhered to varies among Islamic nations. (Wikan, 1988). Individuals who

have migrated from one place to another have had to adapt to entirely new grieving customs. In

essence, it is important to pay attention to these dynamics as they can also affect us, even though

we may not be the ones directly experiencing loss. Consider how emotionally challenging it can

be for us when we are around someone who has been crying all day or someone who shows no

outward signs of grief and moves on as if nothing has happened—these situations can also have

psychological impacts on you.

Personal Effects It Has On You

With the current understanding that not everyone experiences grief in the same manner,

readers can now delve into the root of this study to comprehend how a bereaved individual

influences those around them. Have you ever seen or looked at someone sad or imagined a tragic

person and started feeling those emotions too? Or, have you ever seen someone with a big bright

smile on their face and started to feel warmth or peace? If so, you have experienced what is

called emotional contagion. Emotional contagion refers to the phenomenon where individuals

unconsciously mimic the emotions of others around them. Essentially, it's the process by which

emotions are transferred from one person to another, leading to the synchronization of emotional

states within a group or social setting (Herrando & Constantinides, 2021). This can occur

through various channels, including facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and even

through virtual interactions like social media. It's possible to experience emotional contagion,

where the bereaved person's sadness transfers to you, even if you're not the one grieving, causing

you to feel the weight of it. In such situations, your office space may feel as if it has a gloomy
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cloud hanging over it, as the emotions of the bereaved person affect everyone through emotional

contagion. Therefore, it's essential to grasp this concept and understand how it can impact you

psychologically.

Depression

A prime example of this would be a bereaved person who is depressed. The impact of

depression on those around a depressed person can vary depending on various factors such as the

severity of the depression, the relationship dynamics, and the support systems in place. Loved

ones may experience emotional strain as they witness the suffering of the depressed person and

feel powerless to help them. They may feel sadness, frustration, guilt, or helplessness in response

to the situation(Köse et al., 2016). Depression can strain relationships, leading to communication

breakdowns, conflicts, and distancing. The depressed person may withdraw from social

interactions, leading to feelings of isolation for both the depressed individual and their loved

ones(Köse et al., 2016). Constant exposure to the struggles of a depressed person can take a toll

on the mental health of their loved ones, leading to increased stress, anxiety, or depression in

those individuals.

Effects On The Workplace

Moving forward it is important to understand how this affects a person's workplace and

their job. Bereavement leave is the leave of absence an individual takes from work after losing a

loved one. There aren't enough studies that are done on this topic and the impact is far greater

than we think it is. A study by Donna M. Wilson and others conducted a study with 131

organizations, ranging in size from small, medium, and large, and a total of 28,970 employees.

These concerns included behaviors such as crying, being upset, feeling distracted, being irritable,

or having difficulty focusing on work tasks(Wilson et al., 2019). They looked into the amount of
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days a person took for leave, how that affected the organization, and what accommodations they

made, if any. Chi-square tests were subsequently utilized to investigate whether there was any

relationship between organizational size and the previously mentioned findings. ANOVA tests

were also employed to assess whether a bereavement policy had any correlation with other

findings. This foundational study addresses the impact of bereavement grief on the workplace,

given the limited existing research. The survey, covering small to large organizations, found that

two-thirds had employees on bereavement leave in the past year, typically returning after a few

days. This suggests a potentially significant yet often overlooked impact on organizations.

Government jobs, like the military offer forms of bereavement leave that set an example

of how large organizations can handle bereavement leave. Marine Corps Career Intermission

Program (CIP) addresses taking time away from military service for reasons such as attending

school or caring for a sick family member, with the agreement to serve that time back. The

Career Intermission Program allows eligible Marines to take a sabbatical from active duty

service for a period of time (up to three years) for personal or professional development reasons,

such as pursuing education, caring for family members, or exploring career opportunities outside

the military. During this time, Marines remain affiliated with the Marine Corps and receive a

small stipend, but they are not actively serving and do not receive full pay and

benefits(MARADMINS: 241/22). Understanding that the military has the means to offer those

services, it still has policies like this that can limit the amount of effect that a bereaved person

can have on a work environment–giving them the proper time off.

A common thing that bereaved individuals do is try and find coping methods while

dealing with their grief. Coping methods are strategies and techniques that individuals use to deal

with stress, challenges, or difficult emotions. These methods can vary widely and may include
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activities such as exercise, mindfulness, seeking social support, engaging in hobbies, or seeking

professional help(Algorani, 2023). Work can often serve as a coping mechanism for individuals

dealing with personal challenges. Whether facing stress, grief, or other difficulties in their

personal lives, some people find solace and distraction in throwing themselves into their work.

By immersing themselves in tasks and projects, individuals may temporarily escape from their

troubles and regain a sense of control and purpose(Jung & Yoon, 2018). When one person in a

workplace consistently uses work as a coping mechanism, it can create a culture where overwork

is normalized and expected. This can put pressure on other workers to also prioritize work over

their well-being, leading to a cycle of stress and burnout for the entire team or

organization(McFadden et al., 2021). Additionally, if one individual's coping mechanism

negatively impacts their performance or behavior in the workplace, it can affect team dynamics

and productivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the exploration of grief, its complexities, and its repercussions offers

invaluable insights into the human experience of loss and the profound effects it has on

individuals and society at large. As society navigates through the aftermath of significant events

like the global pandemic, it becomes increasingly crucial to understand grief in its various forms

and manifestations. Traditionally, grief has been conceptualized through frameworks such as

Kübler-Ross's stages, which attempt to provide a linear understanding of the mourning process.

However, scholars like Christopher Hall challenge this notion, advocating for a more nuanced

and individualized approach to grief. Hall's emphasis on the multiplicity of needs experienced by

bereaved individuals underscores the importance of personalized support and interventions.

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Furthermore, the recognition of pathological and complicated grief highlights the

significance of timely intervention and support from clinicians. Addressing grief through social,

familial, and personal expression of emotions can prevent the development of severe emotional

and psychological distress. Cultural perspectives on grief add another layer of complexity,

emphasizing the need to consider cultural norms and practices when supporting bereaved

individuals. Understanding how cultural values shape the grieving process is essential for

providing culturally sensitive care and support. Moreover, the ripple effects of grief extend

beyond the individual, impacting relationships, workplaces, and communities. Emotional

contagion underscores the interconnectedness of emotions, highlighting the need for supportive

environments and effective coping strategies.

In the workplace, bereavement leave policies and coping mechanisms play a crucial role

in supporting employees through periods of grief. Recognizing the impact of grief on

productivity, team dynamics, and individual well-being is essential for fostering a healthy work

environment. Overall, the study of grief offers a profound opportunity for empathy,

understanding, and growth. By acknowledging the complexities of grief and implementing

supportive measures, individuals and communities can navigate through loss with resilience and

compassion.
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