This study aims to enrich the knowledge of the effects of traditional Chinese culture on bereavement outcomes among older Chinese, and to examine the moderating role of occupation in the relationship between traditional culture and bereavement outcomes. A sample of 352 older Chinese in widowhood was interviewed by quota sampling. A scale of faith in traditional Chinese culture was developed and confirmed by factor analysis. Complicated grief (CG) functioned as the outcome variable. Results showed that faith in traditional culture did affect CG among the sample, and previous occupation moderated the effect of traditional culture on CG. That is, the effect of faith in Chinese culture on CG is stronger in the non-peasant group than the peasant group. The results broaden the knowledge of spousal bereavement in a Chinese context. Services such as death education and occupational therapy were recommended according to this study.
Keywords: complicated grief; occupation; older adults; spousal bereavement; traditional Chinese culture.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.