Grief and mourning in cross-cultural perspective

HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: 231 •
By Rosenblatt, Paul C., Walsh, R. Patricia, Jackson, Douglas A.

Hypothesis

Of 7 measured inducements to attend final ceremonies, only 2 are associated with attendance: holding ceremonies for more than one death at a time and sex liberties at final ceremonies. Both correlations are based on a small number of cases (95)

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Pearson’s product-moment correlationSupportedp<.05UNKNOWNOne-tailed

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Alcohol At Final CeremoniesAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Attendance At Final CeremoniesAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Dances At Final CeremoniesAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Feasting At Final CeremoniesAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Games At Final CeremoniesAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Holding Ceremonies For More Than One Death At A TimeAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals
Sex Liberties At Final CeremonyAssociationBurial Practices And Funerals

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Rosenblatt, Paul C."In societies with final funeral ceremonies, grief after the end of mourning is less likely to occur, the heavier the attendance at the final ceremony" (94)
Rosenblatt, Paul C.Final ceremonies are more likely to occur with longer duration of mourning (94)
Schlegel, AliceIn societies with ceremonies for one sex, girls' ceremonies (as opposed to boys) will be negatively associated with initiation prior to genital maturation, undergoing genital operation or experienceing same-sex bonding.
Rosenblatt, Paul C."Where final ceremonies [for deceased] were present prolonged grief was less likely to be present or frequent; where final ceremonies were absent prolonged grief was more likely to be present and frequent" (93)
Stewart, Robert A. C.Findings: A factor analysis of key dimensions to describe a given culture yielded 12 factors. Factor 11, "postpartum sex taboo", loaded highly and positively on postpartum sex taboo lasts more than one year; grandparents and granchild are friendly equals; male initiation ceremonies at puberty; fear of human beings; observation of food taboos. Factor 11 loaded negatively on cousin marriage preferred or prescribed (63)