Question 1

As of 2015, _____ of people 65 and older in the United States were widowed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As of 2015, _____ of people 65...

Question 2

Jim is an older adult who has been divorced from his wife for more than 30 years. When Jim's son calls to tell him that his ex-wife has died. Because Jim has not spoken or see her in all that time, he feels uncomfortable showing his sadness openly. Jim is experiencing

Accepted Answer

Jim's grief is disenfranchised because he is not displaying it openly due to feeling like he does not have the right to grieve after being divorced for so long.

Question 3

Grief is a

Accepted Answer

Grief is a complex, evolving process that includes multiple dimensions such as separation anxiety, pining, and sadness. It is not interchangeable with pining (A), it is not a simple emotional state (B), and there is no set time frame for how long it can last (C) as it is different for each person and situation.

Question 4

After the funeral, three children discuss their mother's death. They talk in detail about her illness and her day-to-day decline. Such conversation most likely indicates

Accepted Answer

Talking in detail about a loved one's illness and decline is a common and healthy way to process grief and better understand the circumstances surrounding the death. It allows the children to make sense of the situation and find closure, rather than emotionally denying it or indulging in morbid curiosity. This behavior is a sign of a healthy grieving process.

Question 5

Holly's friend, Lori, died 3 years ago. Holly suffers from sleep problems, restlessness, and irritability. She often weeps uncontrollably because she misses Lori so much. Which of the following is TRUE of Holly's grieving process?

Accepted Answer

Holly's symptoms suggest that she is experiencing "prolonged grief disorder," which is characterized by intense and prolonged symptoms of grief that persist for more than 6 months. Holly may benefit from therapy to help her process her grief and cope with her loss. Option A is not true as Holly's symptoms indicate that she has not fully recovered from her friend Lori's death. Option B is unlikely given that Holly's symptoms have persisted for 3 years. Option C is not supported by the information given in the question.

Question 6

What is the BEST way to grieve?

Accepted Answer

Grief is a highly individualized and complex process that varies from person to person. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to coping with loss, and there is no single best way to grieve. What works for one person may not work for another, and it's essential to honor your unique experience of grief and seek support in whatever way feels most helpful to you.

Question 7

Women generally adjust better than men after the death of a spouse because

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that women tend to have better social networks, closer family relationships, and more psychological coping strategies than men, which can help them adjust better after the death of a spouse. Women also tend to have a greater role in managing the emotional and practical aspects of family life, which can help them feel more capable and in control during a difficult transition. However, it is not accurate to say that women have more money than men after the death of a spouse, as this can vary widely depending on the circumstances.

Question 8

Susan's husband had always managed their finances. After his death, Susan starts going through his files and receipts so she can learn his system and figure out her own. This is an example of a

Accepted Answer

This is an example of restoration-oriented stressors, as Susan is working to restore order and stability to her life after the loss of her husband. She is taking practical steps to manage her finances and establish her own system. It is not a loss-oriented stressor, as she is not dwelling on her husband's death or feeling overwhelmed by her grief. It is not a positive or negative reappraisal, as there is no indication that Susan is trying to reinterpret the situation in a more positive or negative light.

Question 9

Following an accident, homicide, or suicide, individuals discuss details surrounding the death in an attempt to

Accepted Answer

Discussing details surrounding a death can be a way for individuals to make sense of the event and process their emotions in a way that allows them to understand and accept the death. This is consistent with the purpose of putting death into a perspective that individuals can understand and accept. Blaming the death on something or someone may be a response to grief, but it is not the primary purpose of discussing details surrounding the death. Similarly, avoiding complicated grief and coming to terms with one's own death may be related to discussions of death, but they are not the primary purpose.

Question 10

Amanda had an abortion in college and every Mother's Day she feels a sense of grief, even twenty years later. This would be a form of

Accepted Answer

Disenfranchised grief refers to grief that is not openly acknowledged or socially accepted, such as when a person experiences a loss that is not considered "legitimate" or does not fit within societal norms (e.g. miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion). Amanda's grief over her abortion may not be openly acknowledged or accepted by society or even within her personal relationships, leading to feelings of isolation and disenfranchisement.

Question 11

_____ provides support for newly widowed women.

Accepted Answer

The Widow-to-Widow program specifically provides support for newly widowed women.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about widows is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Older widows often adjust better than younger widows due to a variety of factors, including more life experience, a potentially stronger support network, and possibly having anticipated the loss to some extent, especially if it follows a long illness. Younger widows might face more abrupt changes in life circumstances and have different economic and parenting challenges.

Question 13

Janae worries, "I should go see Bonnie, but I have no idea what to say to someone who is dying." What should Janae do?

Accepted Answer

When faced with the daunting task of visiting a dying friend, it can be tempting to avoid the situation altogether. However, simply being present and offering a listening ear can be extremely comforting for someone in their final days. Encouraging Bonnie to reminisce and talk about happy memories will not only help her feel more at ease, but it will also provide an opportunity for Janae to connect with her friend on a deeper level. This approach is more compassionate than A and B, which focus on Janae's own concerns rather than Bonnie's, and more personal than D, which avoids direct human interaction.

Question 14

Which of the following strategies can serve to decrease depressive symptoms after the loss of a loved one?

Accepted Answer

Helping behaviors and volunteerism have been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms after the loss of a loved one. Inward contemplation may lead to rumination and negative thinking, while denial may delay the grieving process. Visiting the gravesite several times may provide some comfort, but alone it is not likely to decrease depressive symptoms.

Question 15

Most psychologists believe that it is best for dying individuals to

Accepted Answer

Most psychologists recommend that dying individuals should be made aware of their condition as it allows them time to come to terms with their mortality, say goodbye to loved ones, and make final arrangements. It also provides an opportunity for them to achieve a sense of closure and acceptance. Keeping the knowledge of their condition from them can result in feelings of fear, confusion, and helplessness as they may notice physical changes happening to them but not understand why.

Question 16

Which of the following is an advantage of an individual knowing that he or she is dying?

Accepted Answer

Knowing that one is dying can allow for time to reflect on their life and make important decisions about how they want to spend their remaining time. This can lead to a sense of closure and peace, and can potentially improve quality of life in their final days. Seeking more aggressive medical interventions may not necessarily be an advantage, as it can lead to additional pain and discomfort for little benefit. Moving through the stages of dying more quickly or constructing more effective means of denying death are not healthy coping mechanisms and can inhibit the individual's ability to fully process their impending death.

Question 17

Individuals more often experience intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and problems in concentrating when a loved one's death is

Accepted Answer

Sudden or untimely deaths often lead to more intense and distressing grief reactions, which can include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulties with concentration. Slow and prolonged deaths may also lead to grief and mental health challenges, but they may present differently. Discussing the death openly with a doctor or experiencing it in a hospital or institution may not necessarily affect the intensity or type of grief reactions a person experiences.

Question 18

Edie's daughter was killed in a car crash nearly 2 years ago. Since her daughter's death, Edie has been unable to cope and move forward with her life. She feels numb and detached and says that life has no meaning. Edie is likely experiencing

Accepted Answer

Edie's symptoms of feeling numb and detached, and experiencing a lack of meaning in life, suggest that she is experiencing complicated grief. This type of grief is often characterized by intense and prolonged symptoms of grief that do not improve over time, as well as a sense of disbelief, anger, and difficulty accepting the reality of the loss. It is important for Edie to seek professional help to work through her complicated grief and move towards healing and an eventual sense of acceptance.

Question 19

Which of the following is shown to reduce the level of grief after the loss of a spouse?

Accepted Answer

An increase in spiritual and religious beliefs has been shown to help individuals cope with grief by providing a sense of comfort, community, and understanding, which can reduce the level of grief after the loss of a spouse.

Question 20

John is an older adult who is adjusting to the recent death of his wife. What is likely to help him through this difficult time?

Accepted Answer

Volunteering, religiosity, and psychological coping skills can all help John through this difficult time. Volunteering can provide him with a sense of purpose and community, religiosity can provide him with comfort and support, and psychological coping skills can help him to manage his grief and adjust to his new life.

Quiz 17: Death, Dying, and Grieving