Abstract
Bereavement is a universal experience, everyone loses someone at some stage in their
lifetime. However, responses to these extreme life events can vary greatly in severity and
length. This study compared groups of people who lost a child, a spouse, a sibling or a parent
against non-bereaved individuals. It also compared if they did not reminisce or accept the
past experience and they’re consequent attitudes towards life. The study was conducted using
the Accepting the past/Reminiscing about the past questionnaire and the Becks Hopelessness
Scale. The study found that those who had lost a child had more negative attitudes towards
life, compared to the other groups. It was also found that there was no significance between
those who didn’t accept/reminisce and they’re negative attitudes towards life .The study also
found no difference in attitudes between those who underwent counseling and those who
didn’t.
