Abstract

This study aimed to develop and validate the Bereavement Coping Scale for Adolescents based on the dual process model(Strobe & Schut, 2010). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, open-ended surveys, and self-report surveys from people who experienced bereavement during adolescence. Preliminary items were developled based on the dual process model, semi-structured interviews, and open-ended survey data. Subsequently, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis yielded a scale consisting of three factors: acceptance of bereavement, rebuilding relationship with the deceased, and positive perspective, totaling 17 items. Acceptance of bereavement involves acknowledging and accepting the bereavement, rebuilding relationship with the deceased reflects efforts to maintain a psychological connection with the deceased, and positive perspective encompasses a positive attitude and emotion toward the future and oneself. The results indicated that the rebuilding relationship with the deceased factor corresponds to loss-oriented coping, while the positive perspective factor aligns with restoration-oriented coping in the dual process model. On the other hand, the acceptance of bereavement factor includes items corresponding to both loss-oriented and restoration-oriented coping. The scale’s internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory, and its convergent, predictive, and incremental validity were confirmed. In conclusion, the Bereavement Coping Scale for Adolescents is suitable for assessing coping mechanisms following bereavement during adolescence.