Does apologizing help? The role of self-blame and making amends in recovery from bereavement.
This article presents the results of an investigation into the relationship between attributions of self-blame for the death of a loved one and subsequent psychological recovery from this loss. Two hundred and forty-four people who had suffered the death of a loved one identified the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses they used at the time of their loss. Data indicated that use of self-blame was associated with poorer long-term adjustment. However, it was also found that self-blame often led people to make amends or reparations. Significantly, when self-blame was linked to making amends, it became correlated with favorable adjustment outcomes. The potential therapeutic value of reviewing the moral and spiritual beliefs of self-blaming clients and determining how, within their belief system, they might make amends is considered.
Weinberg
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School of Social Work, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012947:Social Work