6 Emerging Adults 159themselves experiencing significant disturbances within their employment or
volunteer work. Academic performance may also decrease, resulting in lower
grades, dropping out of school, and limiting career development (Seravaty-
Seib & Taub, 2010). It is important to note that this disruption is a natural
and expected response to adjusting to the death of a loved one. Behaviors and
their intensity will fluctuate as the emerging adult continues to adjust to a life
without their loved one (Stroebe, Schut, & Stroebe 2007).
The news of the death of a loved one may disrupt emerging adult’s usual
healthy eating habits, exercise routines, and other self-care patterns. Therefore,
physical reactions may also be observed, including a loss of energy, hollow-
ness in the stomach, tightness in the chest and throat, oversensitivity to noise,
shortness of breath, muscle weakness, dry mouth, increased or decreased
physiological arousal (e.g., increased heart rate), and other psychosomatic
complaints for which medical causes cannot be found (e.g., headaches). The
immunological and endocrine changes may lead to a greater susceptibility to
illnesses, from colds and fevers up to more complex diseases and even mortal-
ity (Stroebe et al., 2007).
An emerging adult may socially withdraw from social supports and/or
places that trigger memories of the deceased (Worden, 2009). Family, friends,
and the culture at large may exacerbate this isolation by not allowing the emerg-
ing adult to grieve fully. Well-intentioned supporters may insist that emerging
adults mask their true emotions and move on with their lives, thereby, forcing
emerging adults to limit where they are able to release their true inner feelings.
This withdrawal may come at a critical time as emerging adults are devel-
oping their ability to maintain committed relationships with others. Failure
to develop intimate relationships can result in a weak sense of self, further
decreasing opportunities to socially connect with others (Erikson, 1980).
Spirituality concerns the inner experience that connects one with one’s
essential nature; this may or may not coincide with religious beliefs and prac-
tices (Pomeroy & Garcia, 2009). The death of a loved one may transform spiri-
tuality, known as metanoia. This may strengthen beliefs, as when emerging
adults find comfort in a belief system that mitigates pain and provides under-
standing, or it may disrupt one’s spirituality. An emerging adult may feel angry
at and betrayed by God or a higher being. Existential questions regarding who
God is, where their loved one has gone, and what the meaning of life is may
arise. An overall reevaluation of priorities may take place in regard to the
inner experience of self and external relationships with others (Worden, 2009).
Resilience & Healing
Following the death of a loved one, emerging adults may also experience
resilience, defined as:
The ability of adults in otherwise normal circumstances who are
exposed to an isolated and potentially highly disruptive event such as
the death of a close relation or a violent or life-threatening situation to
maintain relatively stable, healthy levels of psychological and physical