• Self-Assessment Tests on the SCARS Institute ScamPsychology.org

Welcome to the SCARS INSTITUTE Journal of Scam Psychology

A Journal of Applied Scam, Fraud, and Cybercrime Psychology – and Allied Sciences

A dedicated site for psychology, victimology, criminology, applied sociology and anthropology, and allied sciences, published by the SCARS INSTITUTE™ – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Grief Cycle Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims - 2024

Grief Cycle Self-Test Please Note:

This self-test was developed by the scientists and psychologists at the SCARS Institute based on our experience interacting with very large numbers of scam victims. This is not a diagnosis of a mental condition. It is simply to give you an awareness of the subject. We recommend that you contact a mental healthcare professional, such as a counselor or therapist to explore this further.

Grief Cycle Self-Assessment Test

Are You Experiencing Grief? Where are You in the Grief Cycle? Might You be Experiencing Complex Grief?

This self-test is designed to help scam victims understand where they are in the grief cycle and to determine if they may be experiencing ‘complex grief.’

Grief and trauma, while interconnected, are distinct emotional responses that scam victims experience following the end of a relationship scam. Grief is a deep sorrow and emotional pain that arises from a significant loss, such as the loss of trust, love, or even financial stability in the wake of a scam. It involves a process of mourning what was lost, and victims may go through various stages such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually, acceptance. Trauma, on the other hand, is the psychological injury caused by the intense emotional shock of the scam. It often manifests as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and other stress-related symptoms. Scam victims experience grief as they mourn the loss of the relationship they believed was real, while simultaneously enduring trauma from the betrayal and psychological manipulation they endured. Both grief and trauma must be acknowledged and addressed for victims to fully heal and recover.

Instructions:

Reflect on your current relationship and read each statement carefully. Use the following scale to rate your responses:

1 – Strongly Disagree
2 – Disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Agree
5 – Strongly Agree

Self-Assessment Test: Grief Cycle Self-Test for Scam Victims

Grief Indicators:

1 - Denial: I find it difficult to accept that the scam happened to me, and sometimes I feel like it’s not real or that it didn’t happen.(Required)
2 - Anger: I feel intense anger towards the scammer, myself, or others involved, and these feelings often dominate my thoughts.(Required)
3 - Bargaining: I often think about what I could have done differently to prevent the scam and sometimes find myself wishing I could go back in time to change things.(Required)
4 - Depression: I frequently feel overwhelmed by sadness, hopelessness, or a sense of loss related to the scam, and these feelings affect my daily life.(Required)
5 - Acceptance: I have come to terms with what happened and am starting to focus on moving forward and rebuilding my life.(Required)
6 - Intrusive Thoughts: I often have unwanted thoughts or memories about the scam that interrupt my daily activities or make it difficult to focus.(Required)
7 - Avoidance: I try to avoid thinking or talking about the scam, and I steer clear of anything that reminds me of it.(Required)
8 - Feelings of Isolation: I feel isolated from others because of the scam, as if no one understands what I’m going through.(Required)
9 - Difficulty Moving On: I struggle to imagine a future where I have fully moved past the scam, and I feel stuck in the pain and hurt it caused.(Required)
10 - Fear of Trusting Again: I have a strong fear of trusting others again, and I am constantly worried about being scammed or betrayed in the future.(Required)
11 - Persistent Guilt or Shame: I feel a deep sense of guilt or shame about falling for the scam, and these feelings haven’t diminished over time.(Required)
12 - Sense of Numbness: I feel emotionally numb or disconnected from others and my surroundings since the scam occurred.(Required)
13 - Difficulty Experiencing Joy: I find it difficult to experience joy or pleasure in activities that I used to enjoy before the scam.(Required)
14 - Reluctance to Seek Help: I feel hesitant to seek support or talk to others about my feelings because I believe they won’t understand or that it won’t help.(Required)

Finish

Please Select Your Gender(Required)
Terms & Conditions(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

  • 14-28 Points: You may be in the early stages of the grief cycle, still processing the impact of the scam. Consider seeking support to help you move through these stages.
  • 29-42 Points: You are likely progressing through the grief cycle but may be experiencing some difficulties with acceptance and moving forward. Addressing these challenges with a counselor or support group could be beneficial.
  • 43-56 Points: You may be experiencing complex grief, characterized by intense and prolonged feelings of grief, guilt, or isolation. It’s important to seek professional help to navigate these feelings and work towards healing.

Next Steps

Understanding where you are in the grief cycle can be a critical step toward healing. If you scored high on this self-assessment, consider reaching out to a therapist or support group specializing in trauma recovery. They can provide the tools and guidance needed to move forward and regain a sense of normalcy and joy in your life.

Find a counselor or therapist here: counseling.AgainstScams.org

Grief Cycle Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS
Published On: August 9th, 2024Last Updated: August 22nd, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , 480 words2.5 min readTotal Views: 999Daily Views: 2

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A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

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A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also, please read our SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

SCARS Institute Resources: