Which stage directly precedes acceptance in the five-stage model of grief?

Which stage directly precedes acceptance in the five-stage model of grief?

• A. denial
• B. bargaining
• C. anger
• D. depression

Answer: (B)

In the five-stage model of grief, acceptance comes after a period of depressed reflection. The sequence typically runs: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, then acceptance. Depression involves processing the reality of the loss, feeling sadness, and beginning to come to terms with what has happened. This emotional processing sets the stage for acceptance, where the person accepts the reality of the loss and starts to move forward. Bargaining occurs earlier, as a coping attempt to postpone or reverse the loss, so it isn’t the stage that directly precedes acceptance.

In the five-stage model of grief, acceptance comes after a period of depressed reflection. The sequence typically runs: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, then acceptance. Depression involves processing the reality of the loss, feeling sadness, and beginning to come to terms with what has happened. This emotional processing sets the stage for acceptance, where the person accepts the reality of the loss and starts to move forward.

Bargaining occurs earlier, as a coping attempt to postpone or reverse the loss, so it isn’t the stage that directly precedes acceptance.