Currently, a direct correlation between a childs temperament and an adults personality has not been shown. However, heritability research is beginning to show that a link to genetics can be found in both temperament and personality traits (Caspi, Roberts & Shiner, 2005). The other influence on traits and temperament can be described as experience, both positive and negative. Due to the impact of experience, the stability of personality is not constant over the lifetime. Personality can be seen as individual differences in a persons actions or reactions to a situation. Grief represents one experience impacting personality at various life stages.
Outside of an emotional response, grief can also manifest as physical symptoms. The symptoms can vary from mild to extreme depending on the individual involved. Some people may experience headaches, high blood pressure, and chest pain (Stroebe, Schut & Stroebe, 2007). If these symptoms were present before the death, the bereaved report an increase in occurrences after the death. Research has also noted an increase in mortality for mourners suffering greatly after the loss through depression or suicide (Stroebe, Schut & Stroebe, 2007). .
Biological Differences in Grieving.
The normal grieving process has been described as a process that ends in approximately six months (4th ed., text rev.; DSMIVTR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Complicated or prolonged grief is a type of grieving that lasts for a longer duration of time and is associated with decreased physical abilities and mental capacities (Horowitz et al., 1980). Individuals suffering from complicated grief often do not feel their life is meaningful without the one they lost (Tomarken et al., 2012). This type of grief effect 10 to 20% of bereaved individuals and is difficult to treat due to underutilization of care services by the bereaved (Tomarken, et al., 2012) However, both regular bereavement and prolonged bereavement of any severity is linked to higher mortality rates and increased depression.