EXPLORING THE UNIVERSALITY OF GRIEF: COMPARING TYPES OF LOSS THROUGH KÜBLER-ROSS’S FRAMEWORK

This research seeks to better understand how adults experience and process grief following various losses. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey about their experiences with loss and grief.

TITLE OF STUDY

EXPLORING THE UNIVERSALITY OF GRIEF: COMPARING TYPES OF LOSS THROUGH KUBLER-ROSS’S FRAMEWORK



PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Taisha Trotman

California Southern University, School of Behavioral Sciences 3330 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

phone
Email: taisha.trotman@my.calsouthern.edu
Research Supervisor: Dr. Kristen Farrell-Turner
Email Address: k.farrellturner@my.calsouthern.edu



PURPOSE OF STUDY

You are being asked to take part in a research study. Before you decide to participate in this study, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please read the following information carefully. Please ask the researcher if there is anything that is not clear or if you need more information.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether people experience the stages of grief universally after experiencing different types of loss: physical loss (e.g., loss of a sentimental item, dwelling, or physical function), financial loss (e.g., loss of a job or income), and interpersonal loss (e.g., loss of a loved one or relationship).


STUDY PROCEDURES



Participation in this study involves completing a survey that takes about 8-10 minutes. If you choose to participate, you will be required to answer whether you are 25 years of age or older, have ever experienced any type of loss that was relational, financial, or physical in nature, and also what type of loss you experienced. You also will be asked whether you are currently in acute distress, in which case we recommend you do not participate at this time. All other survey questions are not required in order to participate; they pertain to the order in which you experienced the Kubler-Ross stages of grief, duration of time since your loss, and extent to which distressing emotions make your life difficult.

RISKS

Risks of study participation may include emotional discomfort or distress, cognitive burden, or triggering of unresolved grief. Resources are listed below, in the event you would like to seek support. If you are currently in acute distress, it is recommended that you not participate at this time.

Except for those mentioned above as required, you may decline to answer any other questions, if you wish, and you may terminate your involvement at any time if you choose, by closing your browser.

BENEFITS

There will be no direct benefit to you for your participation in this study. However, we hope that the information obtained from this study may contribute to our understanding of grieving experiences in the context of various types of loss.

GRIEF SUPPORT RESOURCES

Griefshare - a national faith-based organization which includes a network of reputable in-person and online grief support organizations. The site features a search feature to assist with locating resources in close proximity to the user. Link: https://www.griefshare.org/?srsltid=AfmBOoq2QlCDv3AW3LyTodE4KgjFA9Wn2WkQEvkgVg_MueJpHqG1AzR7.

⁠Widowed Village – offers an extensive online support community for those who have experienced the loss of a partner. Link: https://widowedvillage.org/.

Financial Therapy Association – a national organization comprised of professionals dedicated to the integration of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, relational, and financial aspects of well-being. Link: https://financialtherapyassociation.org/.


CONFIDENTIALITY



Your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Please do not write any identifying information on your survey. Participant data will be kept confidential and stored on a password-protected personal computer accessible only to the principal investigator and shared only with doctoral project mentors and California Southern University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).

You may be eligible if you:

✓ Are 25 years of age or older

✓ Have experienced a loss (such as the death of a loved one, relationship loss, health-related loss, career loss, loss of a possession or sentimental item, or another meaningful loss experience).

✓ Are able to complete an online survey in English

You are invited to complete an online survey

- Estimated time: 8-10 minutes

- You may participate from any location with internet access

- Your participation is voluntary

Please proceed forward to the Informed Consent document.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you have questions at any time about this study, or you experience adverse effects as the result of participating in this study, you may contact the researcher whose contact information is provided on the first page. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, or if problems arise which you do not feel you can discuss with the Primary Investigator, please contact the Institutional Review Board at brett.gordon@mycalsouthern.onmicrosoft.com .

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION:
Your participation in this study is voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part in this study. If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to sign a consent form. After you sign the consent form, you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. Withdrawing from this study will not affect the relationship you have, if any, with the researcher.