title: Bereavement-related regret trajectories among widowed older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although regrets and unfinished business with a deceased spouse are frequently discussed as crucial determinants of one's postloss adjustment, there have been few empirical investigations of bereavement-related regrets. This present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal course of these regrets and their correlates among widowed older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Drawing upon information from 201 widowed older adults in the Changing Lives of Older Couples study, this present study used latent class growth analysis to identify unique longitudinal trajectories of regret from 6 to 48 months postloss and examine differences between these trajectories with regard to grief and depressive symptomatology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three distinct bereavement-related regret trajectories were identified, characterized by Stable Low Regret, Stable High Regret, and Worsening High Regret. Results revealed that those in the Worsening High Regret group, whose bereavement-related regrets were exacerbated during the study, had the poorest grief outcomes. No differences were observed between these groups with regard to depressive symptoms, indicating that regret may be a unique marker of difficulties in the grieving process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the importance of periodically reassessing bereavement-related regrets (and perhaps other aspects of the continued relationship with the deceased) over time and support the rationale behind interventions designed to facilitate resolution of these issues.
authors.affiliation: Correspondence should be addressed to Jason M. Holland, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 455030, Las Vegas, NV 89154-5030. E-mail: jason.holland@unlv.edu.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Kara L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rozalski
authors.forename: Wendy G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Lichtenthal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D017805:Widowhood / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Continuing bonds; Death and dying; Marital quality; Regret; Unfinished business.