Hardiness and Grief in a Sample of Bereaved College Students

The relationship between hardiness and both grief symptoms and personal growth were investigated in a sample of bereaved college students. Hardiness was inversely associated with grief symptoms and offered prediction of grief misery above and beyond that provided by more commonly investigated individual and death-related variables. Hardiness was not linearly associated with personal growth; however, results suggest the need for future research focused on the comprehensive evaluation of the potential non-linear relationship between these constructs. Closeness to the deceased was a significant and linear predictor of personal growth. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.