A Study of Responses to the Death of a Spouse

question 62

Multiple Choice

A study of responses to the death of a spouse found that the majority of widows and widowers _____.

• A) were, within six months, about as happy and productive as they had been before their spouse's death
• B) suffered from pathological grief, including extreme depression, for the first time in their lives
• C) experienced a significant improvement in mood due to reduced caregiving demands
• D) were slow to recover, but regained most of their ability to function within four years

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Definitions:

Biological Factors

Components of an organism's makeup, including genetic, neurochemical, and physical attributes, that affect its behavior and health.

Agreement Rates

The degree to which different observers or measurements yield consistent results.

Psychological Adjustment

The process of adapting to new, different, or changing circumstances, conditions, or environments.

Dissociative Amnesia

A psychological condition characterized by memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness and is not due to a neurological condition.