Gender Differences in Coping with Grief Among Bereaved Adults in Abia State, South East Nigeria

Grief responses are shaped by a complex interplay of cultural norms, gender roles, and psychosocial resources, yet gender-comparative studies on bereavement coping remain scarce in South East Nigeria. This study examines gender differences in grief coping strategies among bereaved adults in Abia State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design will recruit 200 adults who have experienced bereavement within the past 24 months through purposive community sampling in Umuahia and Aba. The Grief Coping Inventory (GCI) and the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG) will measure coping strategies and unresolved grief intensity respectively. Sociodemographic variables including age, relationship to deceased, nature of death, and social support availability will be recorded. Independent t-tests and multivariate regression will examine gender-stratified differences. Igbo cultural mourning practices, including extended bereavement rituals for widows and gender-specific roles in funeral ceremonies, are expected to interact with psychological coping mechanisms. This study will generate evidence relevant to bereavement counseling services and grief support programs tailored to Igbo cultural contexts in Abia State. Keywords: grief, coping, gender differences, bereavement, Abia State