The Results Of Depressive Symptoms - 1707 Words

The results showed depressive symptoms did not differ between the non-complicated bereavement group and the unbereaved control group, both groups displayed little to no depressive symptoms. Although the CG showed slightly higher ratings of depressive symptoms, the results showed only mild to moderate depressive symptoms were present on average in the CG group (O’Connor Arizmendi, 2014). These results demonstrate the participants who were suffering from CG were not suffering from MDD. Results from the Digit Span Backwards subtest and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task did not show any significant differences between the control group or the two bereaved groups (O’Connor Arizmendi, 2014). This indicates working memory and set shifting were not†¦show more content†¦Despite there results O’Connor and Arizmendi (2014) acknowledged their study must be replicated using a larger sample size to increase the study’s reliability. The authors also suggested an fMRI would be useful to measure what neurological processes are distinctly different in those suffering from CG. Nonetheless, their study and two previous studies have shown attentional biases are present and affect the cognitive functioning in individuals experiencing CG. Attachment-based Model Shear et al. (2007) focused their studies on an attachment-based model of complicated grief with an emphasis on the contribution of avoidance. The attachment-based model assumes the loss of an attachment figure causes an interruption in an individual’s attachment working model. Shear et al. (2007) references Bowlby’s theory of attachment, which stated at a young age a baby develops an attachment bond to their caregiver or loved one. Shear et al. (2007) reported Bowlby theorized, as a child ages the attachment relationship is translated into an internalized working model. This working model provides a secure base, which allows an individual to utilize his/her exploratory system to discover new experiences and attain certain goals (Shear et al., 2007). Shear et al. (2007) postulated the loss of a loved one disrupts this attachment working model which can lead to