Culture and Grief: Migratory Grief Experience of an Irish, Venezuelan and Polish Sample

Abstract

The Migratory Grief experience of a multicultural sample was explored. Five hypotheses were tested: A relationship between MG and: (1) motivations to migrate; (2) being mostly forced to leave homeland; (3) A relationship between being mostly forced to leave and Intention of returning to homeland (IRH); (4) Differences in MG based on IRH; (5) Mental health and MG are negatively related. 2150 Irish (N=458), Venezuelan (N=1021), and Polish (N=671) migrants were surveyed using the Migratory Grief and Loss Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire, and socio-demographic questions. MG and motivations to migrate were significantly related for the general, Venezuelan, and Polish, but not for the Irish sample; motivation was a modest predictor. A relationship between being mostly forced to leave homeland and MG was found, nonetheless, the prediction was modest. The hypothesis of a relationship between being mostly forced to leave and IRH was not supported. Results showed differences in MG based on IRH. Higher MG was positively related to mental health. Theoretical and clinical implications, limitations, and suggestions for further research are discussed.