Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	MacDonald, Bonnie Louise
URN	etd-10042006-143841
Title	The role of systems-level variables in family adaptation to bereavement : a concept-validation study of cohesion and expressiveness
Degree	PhD
Department	Psychology
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Clum, George A. Jr. Committee Member Finney, Jack W. Committee Member Keller, James F. Committee Member Koocher, Gerald P. Committee Member Ollendick, Thomas H. Committee Member
Keywords	Bereavement in children Bereavement Psychological aspects Family psychotherapy
Date of Defense	1992-02-05
Availability	restricted
Abstract Understanding and prediction of children's adaptation to loss requires attention to family characteristics and interpersonal patterns in addition to individual variables. Empirical inquiries into family variables have indicated that the concepts of cohesion and expressiveness in particular may be useful in explaining members' adjustment. Using both deductive and inductive methods this study developed a reliable behavioral coding system for observing family members as they described the story of a child's death. The study also examined the relationship of these observable behaviors to both self-reports of cohesion and expressiveness and measures of individual adjustment. In terms of convergent validity the Expressiveness subscale of the Family Environment Scale (Moos & Moos, 1986) was more readily associated with observable behaviors than was the Cohesion subscale. Discriminant validity was not established, however, and possible explanations for this were discussed. Examination of criterion-related and predictive validity demonstrated the uti1ity of both se1f-report and behavioral measures of cohesion and expressiveness in accounting for parental depression, child behavior problems, and other specific indicators of distress. Implications for clinical intervention with bereaved families were discussed.
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