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Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy
2026. Vol. 34, no. 3, 112–137
https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2026340306
ISSN: 2075-3470 / 2311-9446 (online)

Delayed bereavement in early adulthood: A new perspective

 
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Abstract

Background and Relevance. A comparative analysis of the psychological consequences of natural versus sudden, violent loss of a significant close person during early adulthood is being conducted. The research design, aimed at assessing the severity of traumatization, comorbid psychopathological symptoms considering the type and time since loss, as well as the effectiveness of personal resources, creates an opportunity to examine the role of posttraumatic stress in the period of adaptation to loss. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for systematic clarification of the differential diagnostic criteria of complicated grief and posttraumatic stress. Objective. To analyze the psychological consequences of experiencing different types of loss and to identify arguments supporting the differentiation between manifestations of the grieving process and symptoms of posttraumatic stress at different time intervals following the traumatic event. Hypothesis. The severity of psychological consequences following the loss of a close person is determined by the type of loss, the time elapsed since the event, and the presence or absence of emotional-cognitive resources that facilitate the completion of the grieving process and the reduction of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Methods and Materials. The study sample consisted of young adults (18 to 32 years old, M = 22,3) with a history of losing a significant close person (N = 103), subjectively assessed as the most traumatic event in their personal experience. To test the research hypothesis, the following set of measures was used: the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List (PCL-5), adapted in 2017 at the Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Tarabrina, Kharlamenkova, Padun, et al., 2017); Symptom Check List of Psychopathological Symptoms in the Russian adaptation (Tarabrina et al., 2007); C. Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-Being, adapted by L.V. Zhukovskaya and E.G. Troshikhina (2011); The Behavioral Control Questionnaire (E.A. Sergienko, G.A. Vilenskaya, I.I. Vetrova); and the Questionnaire «Age-of-Me» (Barak, 2009), adapted by E.A. Sergienko (2011). Results. It was demonstrated that the pattern of psychological consequences of losing a significant close person in young adulthood is determined by a combination of factors, including the cause of death, the time elapsed since the event, as well as the degree of availability and utilization of emotional-cognitive resources necessary for integrating the experience of loss.

General Information

Keywords: loss of a significant loved one, post-traumatic stress, grief, type of loss, duration of traumatic event, psychological consequences of loss of a loved one

Journal rubric: Empirical Researches

Article type: research article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2026340306

Funding. he study was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation as part of scientific project No. 25-18-00366, https://rscf.ru/project/25-18-00366/.

Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful for assistance in data collection А.N. Zelyanina, I.V. Ponomareva, I.V. Kiselyova, O.A.Vorona, V.S. Chernyavskaya.1.Агишева, А.А. (2024). Переживание утраты взрослого ребенка в пожилом возрасте. Клиническая и специальная психология, 13(4), 51—75. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2024130403Agisheva, A.A. (2024). Experiencing the loss of an adult child in old age. Clinical and Special Psychology, 13(4), 51—75. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.20241304032.Битюцкая, Е.В. (2025). Длительное горе при переживании утраты близкого человека. Психология посттравматического стресса: методология, теория, практика. М.: Институт психологии РАН, 183—188.Bityutskaya, E.V. (2025). Prolonged grief following the loss of a loved one. Psychology of Post-Traumatic Stress: Methodology, Theory, and Practice. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 183—188. (In Russ.).3.Битюцкая, Е.В. (2025). Цикл утраты (анализ случая). Консультативная психология и психотерапия, 33(3),171—194. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2025330308Bityutskaya, E.V. (2025). The Cycle of Loss (Case Analysis). Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 33(3), 171—194. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.20253303084.Волкан, В., Зинтл, Э. (2014). Жизнь после утраты. Психология горевания. М.: Когито-Центр.Volkan, V., Zintl, E. (2014). Life After Loss: The Psychology of Grief. Moscow: Cogito-Center Publishing House. (In Russ.).5.Жуковская, Л.В., Трошихина, Е.Г. (2011). Шкала психологического благополучия К. Рифф. Психологический журнал, 32(2), 82—93.Zhukovskaya, L.V., & Troshikhina, E.G. (2011). C. Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Psychological Journal, 32(2), 82—93. (In Russ.).6.Сапоровская, М.В., Каменская А.С. (2025). Феноменология скучания по умершему близкому в контексте различных типов утраты. Клиническая и специальная психология, 14(4), 90—107. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140406Saporovskaya, M.V., Kamenskaya, A.S. (2025). Phenomenology of missing a deceased loved one in the context of different types of loss. Clinical and Special Psychology, 14(4), 90—107. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.20251404067.Сергиенко, Е.А. (2011). Субъективный возраст в контексте системно-субъектного подхода. Ученые записки Казанского университета. Серия: Гуманитарные науки, 153(5), 89—101.Sergienko, E.A. (2011). Subjective age in the context of the system-subject approach. Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta. Seriya: Gumanitarnye Nauki, 153(5), 89—101. (In Russ.).8.Сергиенко, Е.А., Виленская, Г.А., Ветрова, И.И. (2023). Новый метод оценки психической регуляции — опросник «Контроль поведения». Экспериментальная психология,16(1), 182—200. https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160111Sergienko, E.A., Vilenskaya, G.A., & Vetrova, I.I. (2023). A new method for assessing psychological regulation: The "Behavioral Control" questionnaire. Experimental Psychology, 16(1), 182—200. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160111 9.Тарабрина, Н.В., Агарков, В.А., Быховец, Ю.В., Калмыкова, Е.С., Макарчук, А.В., Падун, М.А., Удачина, Е.Г., Химчян, З.Г., Шаталова, Н.Е., Щепинина, А.И. (2007). Практическое руководство по психологии посттравматического стресса. М.: Институт психологии РАН.Tarabrina, N.V., Agarkov, V.A., Bykhovets, Yu.V., Kalmykova, E.S., Makarchuk, A.V., Padun, M. A., Udachina, E.G., Khimchyan, Z.G., Shatalova, N.E., Shchepinina, A.I. (2007). Practical Guide to the Psychology of Post-Traumatic Stress. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. (In Russ.).10.Тарабрина, Н.В., Харламенкова, Н.Е., Падун, М.А., Хажуев, И.С., Казымова, Н.Н., Быховец, Ю.В., Дан, М.В. (2017). Интенсивный стресс в контексте психологической безопасности. М.: Институт психологии РАН.Tarabrina, N.V., Kharlamenkova, N.E., Padun, M.A., Khazhuev, I.S., Kazymova, N.N., Bykhovets, Yu.V., Dan, M.V. (2017). Intense Stress in the Context of Psychological Safety. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Press. (In Russ.).11.Харламенкова, Н.Е., Знакова, В.В., Сергиенко, Е.А., Казымова, Н.Н. (Ред). (2022). Онто- и субъектогенез психического развития человека. М.: Институт психологии РАН.Kharlamenkova, N.E., Znakova, V.V., Sergienko, E.A., Kazymova, N.N. (Eds). (2022). Ontogenesis and Subject-Genesis of Human Psychological Development. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Press. (In Russ.).12.Харламенкова, Н.Е., Никитина, Д.А., Шаталова, Н.Е., Быховец, Ю.В. (2025). Переживание психотравмирующих событий прошлого в период ранней взрослости. Клиническая и специальная психология, 14(4), 39—55. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140403Kharlamenkova, N.E., Nikitina, D.A., Shatalova, N.E., Bykhovets, Yu.V. (2025). Experiencing past traumatic events in early adulthood. Clinical and Special Psychology, 14(4), 39—55. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.202514040313.Barak, B. (2009). Age identity: A cross-cultural global approach. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 33(1), 2—11. https://doi.org/10.1177/016502540809948514.Barros-Lane, L., Alvarez-Rodriguez,V., Cornelius, V.E., Smith, V.D. (2025). Grief Lasts Longer Than Sympathy: Qualitatively Examining Disenfranchised Grief in Young Widowhood. JournalofLossandTrauma, 30(2), 123—144. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2024.232427315.Boelen, P.A. (2023).Nature and prevalence of PTSD as per DSM-5 and ICD-11 after natural and unnatural deaths. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 14, Article 100664.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.10066416.Brookman, R., Harris, C.B., O’Connor, M. (2024). A role for event centrality in prolonged grief disorder. Scientific Reports,14(1), Article 22093. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72754-917.Burke, S.A. (2025). The Science and Experience of Grief: Psychological, Neuroscientific, and Cultural Perspectives. International Journal of Psychiatry Research, 8(4), 1—10. https://doi.org/10.33425/2641-4317.122418.Champion, M.J., Kilcullen, M. (2025). Complicated grief following the traumatic loss of a child: A Systematic Review. Journal of Death and Dying, 91(4), 2142—2164.19.Djelantik, A.A.A., Robinaugh, D.J., Boelen, P.A. (2022) The course of symptoms in the first 27 months following bereavement: A latent trajectory analysis of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression. Psychiatry Researc, 311, Article 114472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.11447220.Dönmez, Ç.F., Toygar, I., Mum, S. (2025) Exploring thebereavement experiencesand prevalence of prolongedgrief disorder among 2023 Turkish earthquakesurvivors with advancedchronic disease: a mixedmethods study. BMJ Open, 15, e088551. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-08855121.Heeke, C., Franzen, M., Hofmann, H., Knaevelsrud, C., Lenferink, L.I.M. (2022) A latent class analysis on symptoms of prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depression following the loss of a loved one. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, Article 878773. http://doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.87877322.Jann, P., Netzer, J., Hecker,T.(2024). Traumatic loss: a systematic review of potential risk factors differentiating between posttraumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief disorder. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 15, Article 2371762. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.237176223.Komischke-Konnerup, K.B., Vang,M.L., Lundorff, M., Elklit,A.,O’Connor, M. (2023). Do Early Symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder Lead to Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression? A Longitudinal Register-Based Study of the Two First Years of Bereavement. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 132(8), 996—1006. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn000085924.Palmer,M., Saviet, M.,Tourish, J. (2016).Understanding and supporting grieving adolescents and young adults. Pediatric Nursing, 42(6), 275—281.25.Sehlikoğlu, Ş., Bekircan, E., Tanrıöver, S. (2026). Prolonged grief disorder among those who have lost family members due to natural disasters: A mixed design study. Death Studies, 50(9), 1497—1512. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.251399326.Smith, K.V., Ehlers, A. (2021). Prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress disorder following the loss of a significant other: An investigation of cognitive and behavioural differences. PLoS ONE, 16(4), Article 0248852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.024885227.Williams, J.L., Hardt, M.M., Henschel, A.V., Eddinger, J.R. (2019). Experiential avoidance moderates the association between motivational sensitivity and prolonged grief but not posttraumatic stress symptoms. PsychiatryResearch, 273, 336—342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.020

Received 11.02.2026

Revised 12.09.2024

Accepted

Published

For citation: Kharlamenkova, N. E., Agisheva, A.A. (2026). Delayed bereavement in early adulthood: A new perspective. Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 34(3), 112–137. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2026340306

© Kharlamenkova N. E., Agisheva A.A., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

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  8. Сергиенко, Е.А., Виленская, Г.А., Ветрова, И.И. (2023). Новый метод оценки психической регуляции — опросник «Контроль поведения». Экспериментальная психология,16(1), 182— https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2023160111
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    Tarabrina, N.V., Agarkov, V.A., Bykhovets, Yu.V., Kalmykova, E.S., Makarchuk, A.V., Padun, M. A., Udachina, E.G., Khimchyan, Z.G., Shatalova, N.E., Shchepinina, A.I. (2007). Practical Guide to the Psychology of Post-Traumatic Stress. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.(In Russ.).
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    Tarabrina, N.V., Kharlamenkova, N.E., Padun, M.A., Khazhuev, I.S., Kazymova, N.N., Bykhovets, Yu.V., Dan, M.V. (2017). Intense Stress in the Context of Psychological Safety. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Press.(In Russ.).
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    Kharlamenkova, N.E., Znakova, V.V., Sergienko, E.A., Kazymova, N.N. (Eds). (2022). Ontogenesis and Subject-Genesis of Human Psychological Development. Moscow: Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Press. (In Russ.).
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    Kharlamenkova, N.E., Nikitina, D.A., Shatalova, N.E., Bykhovets, Yu.V. (2025). Experiencing past traumatic events in early adulthood. Clinical and Special Psychology, 14(4), 39—55. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2025140403
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  14. Barros-Lane, L., Alvarez-Rodriguez,V., Cornelius, V.E., Smith, V.D. (2025). Grief Lasts Longer Than Sympathy: Qualitatively Examining Disenfranchised Grief in Young Widowhood. JournalofLossandTrauma, 30(2),123— https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2024.2324273
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  19. Djelantik, A.A.A., Robinaugh, D.J., Boelen, P.A. (2022) The course of symptoms in the first 27 months following bereavement: A latent trajectory analysis of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression. Psychiatry Researc, 311, Article 114472.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114472
  20. Dönmez, Ç.F., Toygar, I., Mum, S. (2025) Exploring thebereavement experiencesand prevalence of prolongedgrief disorder among 2023 Turkish earthquakesurvivors with advancedchronic disease: a mixedmethods study. BMJ Open, 15, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088551
  21. Heeke, C., Franzen, M., Hofmann, H., Knaevelsrud, C., Lenferink, L.I.M. (2022) A latent class analysis on symptoms of prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depression following the loss of a loved one. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13,Article 8 http://doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.878773
  22. Jann, P., Netzer, J., Hecker,T.(2024). Traumatic loss: a systematic review of potential risk factors differentiating between posttraumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief disorder. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 15,Article 2371762. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2371762
  23. Komischke-Konnerup, K.B., Vang,M.L., Lundorff, M., Elklit,A.,O’Connor, M. (2023). Do Early Symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder Lead to Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression? A Longitudinal Register-Based Study of the Two First Years of Bereavement. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 132(8), 996— https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000859
  24. Palmer,M., Saviet, M.,Tourish, J. (2016).Understanding and supporting grieving adolescents and young adults. Pediatric Nursing, 42(6), 275—281.
  25. Sehlikoğlu, Ş., Bekircan, E., Tanrıöver, S. (2026). Prolonged grief disorder among those who have lost family members due to natural disasters: A mixed design study. Death Studies, 50(9), 1497—https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2513993
  26. Smith, K.V., Ehlers, A. (2021). Prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress disorder following the loss of a significant other: An investigation of cognitive and behavioural differences. PLoS ONE, 16(4), Article 0248852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248852
  27. Williams, J.L., Hardt, M.M., Henschel, A.V., Eddinger, J.R. (2019). Experiential avoidance moderates the association between motivational sensitivity and prolonged grief but not posttraumatic stress symptoms. PsychiatryResearch, 273,336—342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.020

Information About the Authors

Natalia E. Kharlamenkova, Doctor of Psychology, professor, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Head of the Laboratory of Psychology of the development of the subject in normal and post-traumatic conditions, Institute of Psychology of Russian Academy of Science, Head of the Department of Personality Psychology of the Faculty of Psychology of the State Academic University of Humanities, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0508-4157, e-mail: nataly.kharlamenkova@gmail.com

Anastasiya A. Agisheva, Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Human Development in Normal and Posttraumatic States, Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IP RAS), Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9838-9813, e-mail: anastasya_ozornina@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Natalia E. Kharlamenkova — ideas; planning of the research; data collection and analysis; application of statistical, mathematical or other methods for data analysis; visualization of research results; annotation, writing and design of the manuscript.

Anastasiya A. Agisheva — ideas; preparation of a literature review, writing and design of the manuscript.

The authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Institute of Psychology of Russian Academy of Sciences (report no.1, 2026/02/02).

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