Anticipatory grief in psychology: Does grief exist before death?

Abstract

Introduction. Anticipatory grief, the experience of grief prior to the loss of a loved one in anticipation of their death, is a well-documented phenomenon in the context of caring for terminally ill patients. However, it remains underrepresented in the Russian psychological literature. This article aims to conceptualize anticipatory grief by exploring its core characteristics and distinguishing it from grief following a bereavement.
Materials and Methods. The study is based on a theoretical analysis of international literature from the past two decades, identified through a search of the PubMed electronic database using the keyword ‘anticipatory grief’.
Results. The concept of anticipatory grief has been empirically studied in international research since the mid-20th century. Despite ongoing debate, it is widely regarded as a valid subject of scientific in- quiry. The literature reveals several related terms — such as ‘pre-death grief’, ‘pre-loss grief’, ‘prepa- ratory grief’, ‘forewarnings of loss’ and ‘anticipatory mourning’ — reflecting the varied experiences of relatives facing different end-of-life trajectories. While sharing core features with conventional grief, anticipatory grief is defined by several distinct characteristics: it is temporally bounded, concluding with the patient’s death; it is often marked by profound emotional ambivalence; and it can involve intense and fluctuating emotions. Current scholarship frames anticipatory grief as both a potential coping mechanism before the loss and a risk factor for the development of complicated grief after the loss occurs.
Conclusions. The extensive body of international research on anticipatory grief underscores the value and necessity of incorporating this concept into the theoretical framework and practical lexicon of psychological science and counseling in the Russian context.