Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Brent D. Robbins
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship regarding a loss of parent during adolescence with psychosocial development into early college years (18 through 22 years of age) as measured by the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (MEPSI). A sample of 15 young college students, ages 18 to 22, completed the MEPSI and a second sample of young college students 18 to 22, who lost a parent, completed the MEPSI. No significant difference was found in the variance of the means; therefore, the null hypothesis was retained. A small sample t test analysis was used to compare the means of the scores of the two groups. Recurring grief reactions (regrief phenomenon) were found to be non-significant. The outcome of this study added to the scant existing research showing a possible connection between parental loss experiences and manifesting psychological disturbance, vulnerability to delinquency later in life, and experiencing grief while moving through developmental milestones. This study contributes to positive social change by raising public awareness regarding the impact of recurring reactions to grief and the progression of that grief for adolescents who have experienced parental loss during the early years of college.
Recommended Citation
Elbel, Carla C., "College Students’ Psychosocial Functioning 2 to 5 Years After Death of a Parent" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14107.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14107
