Which of the following situations could cause functional grief?

• A. Losing a close friend due to a major argument
• B. Receiving a promotion at work
• C. Experiencing mild annoyance from a traffic jam
• D. Enjoying a relaxing vacation

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of functional grief. Functional grief refers to a natural and adaptive emotional response to a significant loss or change, which helps an individual process and eventually adjust to the new reality.
2. Step 2: Identify situations that involve a meaningful loss or disruption in important relationships or life circumstances, as these are likely to trigger functional grief.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option to see if it involves a significant loss or emotional disruption: losing a close friend due to a major argument represents a loss of an important relationship, which can cause functional grief.
4. Step 4: Recognize that receiving a promotion, experiencing mild annoyance, or enjoying a vacation do not involve loss or significant emotional disruption, so they are unlikely to cause functional grief.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the situation involving losing a close friend due to a major argument is the one that could cause functional grief because it involves a meaningful loss that requires emotional adjustment.