ABSTRACT
Despite research examining the role of metacognitive beliefs about coping processes in maintaining psychological disorders, to date, no studies have explored their role in the maintenance of prolonged grief. Twelve semistructured interviews were conducted with bereavement specialists and bereaved people with elevated grief to identify metacognitive beliefs about coping processes relevant to prolonged grief. Analysis revealed several metacognitive beliefs potentially driving maladaptive coping processes used by people with prolonged grief symptomatology. Findings may underpin the development of interventions that aim to modify unhelpful metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate maladaptive coping processes.
Acknowledgment
We would like to acknowledge the bereavement specialists and bereaved participants who shared their time and thoughts in the interviews.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Jenine Wenn
JW, MO, LB, and CR designed the study. The research was conducted by JW under the supervision of MO, LB, and CR. All authors edited drafts of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.
Moira O’Connor
JW, MO, LB, and CR designed the study. The research was conducted by JW under the supervision of MO, LB, and CR. All authors edited drafts of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.
Lauren J. Breen
JW, MO, LB, and CR designed the study. The research was conducted by JW under the supervision of MO, LB, and CR. All authors edited drafts of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.
Clare S. Rees
JW, MO, LB, and CR designed the study. The research was conducted by JW under the supervision of MO, LB, and CR. All authors edited drafts of the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.