2018/03/08 by Kylie B. Rogalla
paper · doi:10.1177/0030222818761461
crossref issued 2018/03/08 · crossref published 2018/03/08 · crossref published-online 2018/03/08 · crossref created 2018/03/08 · crossref published-print 2020/05/01 · crossref deposited 2026/05/01 · crossref indexed 2026/07/29
All mental health professionals will inevitably serve clients who face the expected death of a loved one. Prominent theories on the grieving process tend to begin after a death or other loss has occurred. Many individuals experience anticipatory grief prior to the physical death. Participants in this study consisted of 120 adults who were anticipating the death of a loved one due to terminal illness. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the relationship between the positive disposition of proactive coping and two forms of growth. Both personal and posttraumatic growth were present to a significant degree, and proactive coping illustrated unique predictive power in personal growth. Social support was a significant mediator of proactive coping and growth and was determined to be an outcome of the assertive nature of this disposition. Implications for helping professionals who serve anticipatory grievers as well as directions for future research are discussed.