The relationship between cultural belief system and depressive symptomalogy among bereaved South Africans

Abstract

The present research aimed to explore bereavement among different ethnic groups within the multicultural context of South Africa. Two correlative studies were conducted. The hypothesis tested in Study 1 stated that continuing bonds and complicated grief predict depression. The results indicated that the hypothesized model was most appropriate for individuals who had lost someone recently. Through the use of path analysis, race groups, i.e. black versus non-black participants, were compared in respect to the proposed model.