The Journey of Grief: Exploring Gender Differences and Social Support, Following the Death of Significant Others

Abstract

Gender differences in grief experience and perceived social support among participants who have experienced death of significant others are examined. 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) are taken from the locality of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for the survey. The survey protocol consists of demographic sheet, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988) and the Revised Grief Experience Inventory (RGEI) (Lev, Munro, & McCorkle, 1993) is given to them. After the collection of data the results are analyzed using SPSS. Findings within the current research helps in outlining important themes that revolve around differences seen in the grief experiences and type of social support they seek. Gender vary enormously in the grief intensity they experience and social support they perceive, results show that gender moderate the relationship between grief experience and perceived social support. Males experience lower intensity in grief experience and low perceived social support and females experience high level of intensity in grief and high perceived social support. Thus our hypothesis is proved in this study. Implications of the results to better assist individuals with their grief experiences are discussed.