Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan, Second Edition

156 Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan

useful in assisting bereaved emerging adults (friends and siblings) in their

grief as it was developed for college students (Rogers, 2013). After finding

that attrition was high for many formats of mindfulness training with col-

lege students, Rogers and her coleader found that a four-session training

and experiential class paired with a commitment from the student for ten

minutes of daily meditative practice appealed to the emerging adults. It is

likely that any intervention aimed at emerging adults’ grief needs to be time

limited and clear in its goals and activities.

Readings

Grief, Resilience, and Healing During Emerging Adulthood

Natalie Carlos Cruz

Dr. Natalie Carlos Cruz is a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology

at Alliant International University, Los Angeles, and currently an American

Psychological Association postdoctoral psychology fellow in Project Heal at the

University of Southern California Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Influenced by the death of her mother following

a two-year battle with stomach cancer, Dr. Cruz is dedicated to compassionately sup-

porting others who are grieving or have experienced a traumatic event in their lives.

“Dear Mom,

It has been 2 months that dad called to tell me that you had passed

`away after 2  difficult years of battling cancer. Billions of thoughts, ques-

tions, fears, and regrets run through my mind. I tried to do my best to care

for you, to listen to you, to support you. I would have given my life for you.

I know I was not perfect and I was  particularly short the last few days with

midterms coming up and an interview for a work-study position that would

have helped pay for school. I am sitting in my dorm room in the dark alone

on a Friday night wishing I had you to drive home to. All of my friends try to

cheer me up and tell me to go out and attend parties with them. They say that

this is part of life and I just need to move on. But my mind just goes towards

thinking about you, thinking about the many wonderful memories we had

together, and even feeling that love that was so special between us. I am find-

ing it so hard to accept that nothing is for sure in this world. My dreams of

having my strength, my inspiration, my best friend, my mother at my gradu-

ation, future wedding, and during the birth of my first child, I guess are all

just an illusion now... I still need you.“ —Marissa, 20 years of age

Emerging Adulthood

The death of a loved one is inevitable, yet painful for anyone at any age.

Often overlooked is the unique distress experienced by emerging adults,

aged 18 to 25. Approximately 25% of college students have lost a significant