class 7 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Define bereavement and what role does it play in the survivor’s life?
Bereavement is an objective event of loss that conveys a sense of deprivation. It disrupts the survivor’s life, and while it is considered a normal human experience, it can significantly impact the bereaved person’s daily existence
What are the cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of grief?
Cognitive aspects include confusion and disorganization, heightened emotional and perceptual sensitivity being preoccupied with thoughts of the person that died
physical aspects involve symptoms like shortness of breath, insomnia, or physical weakness.
emotional aspects encompass a range from talking about the person to complete withdrawal of the person alltogether. irritability hostility like outrage like lots of anger being either really withdrawn socially or very active socially. Relief and angusih can co-occur
spiritual aspects often involve a reexamination of beliefs.
All these aspects collectively contribute to what is considered normal grief.
Discuss the occurrences of paranormal or psychic experiences related to grief. How common are these experiences, and what is the general perception of such phenomena?
Paranormal experiences, like sensing a presence, are not uncommon, with reported rates varying between 30% to 83%. Interestingly, most participants find these experiences comforting rather than frightening.
what does mourning refer to, and how is it influenced by social and cultural norms? Provide examples of mourning behaviors.
Mourning is the process of integrating loss into one’s ongoing life. It is influenced by social and cultural norms, dictating what is considered typical mourning behavior. Examples include wearing black, flying flags at half-mast, cuttinglong hair short, abstaining from social occasions.
What is the goal of social seclusion in mourning, and what are two functions of it, as stated in the information provided by DeSpelder & Strickland?
The goal might be to conform to social expectations, you shouldnt be joyous and sociable after a death. Give the person time to fully accept the reality of the situation.
one function is to allow survivors to grieve away from the world. Second function includes providing space for grief and preventing survivors from forgetting the person who died too soon
Discuss the first model of mourning proposed by J.W. Worden. What are the tasks involved in this model, and why is accepting the reality of the loss considered a crucial step?
Worden’s model includes tasks such as accepting the reality of the loss, processing the pain of grief- both physical and emotional, adjusting to a world without the deceased, and finding an enduring connection - allowing self to love other, does not takeway love for the deceased.
Accepting the reality of the loss is crucial as it marks an acknowledgment and an initial step toward adaptation.
Regarding the tasks of mourning according to the “Six R’s” model by Rando (1993). How does this model mesh with Worden’s tasks of mourning, and what similarities and differences can be observed?
Rando’s tasks involve recognizing the loss, reacting to the separation, recollecting the deceased, relinquishing old attachments, readjusting to a new world, and reinvesting emotional energy. Both models share similarities in recognizing the reality of loss and adjusting to a world without forgetting. Differences lie in the specifics of the tasks.
Explore the Dual-Process Model of Coping with Grief by Stroebe & Schut. What are the two coping orientations, and how does oscillation between these orientations contribute to the grieving process?
The model involves loss-oriented coping, focusing on grief itself, and restoration-oriented coping, dealing with changes resulting from the loss. Oscillation between these orientations, known as oscillation, reflects the back-and-forth movement between confronting the loss and avoiding memories, providing a dynamic aspect to the grieving process.
How does the Dual-Process Model address the emotional and practical aspects of grief, and what role does oscillation play in managing these aspects over time?
The loss-oriented coping addresses emotional aspects, involving grief itself, while restoration-oriented coping deals with practical adjustments required due to the loss. Oscillation allows individuals to balance the emotional processing of grief with the practical tasks associated with adapting to the new circumstances.
Drawing on the provided information, what are some potential critiques or limitations of these models of mourning, and how might cultural variations influence the application of these models?
Potential critiques could include a lack of universality in these models and the challenge of fitting diverse cultural practices. Cultural variations might impact how individuals approach tasks of mourning, raising questions about the applicability of these models across different cultural contexts.
Describe the three phases of grief according to DeSpelder & Strickland, and what characterizes each phase?
The initial phase involves shock, numbness, and disbelief, often immediately after death. The middle phase, marked by a decline in social support, is a painful time where bereaved individuals review relationships. The last phase brings a sense of resolution, though reminders can activate grieving, with a shrinking of sadness that may never fully disappear.
What is emphasized regarding the duration of grief in the information provided? Explain the resurfacing of grief and how various events can provoke it.
The information emphasizes that grief has no absolute end point, with resurfacing possible due to different events. Both negative and positive events, such as break-ups, fights, or even a song, can provoke grief. Public deaths may create a ripple effect, and intense grief can onset years after a loss.
What is anticipatory grief, and how does it differ from grief after an actual loss?
Anticipatory grief is a reaction to the awareness of an impending loss. It may or may not be easier to cope with than sudden death. Even when anticipated, grief is not necessarily diminished when the loss occurs.
Define “ambiguous” losses and provide examples. How do these losses complicate the process of adjusting to death?
Ambiguous losses involve situations where the body is present, but the mind is absent, or vice versa. Examples include dementia, coma, kidnapping, or when the body is missing, but the person is alive in the minds of others. These losses make adjusting to death difficult, as the ambiguity challenges the grieving process.
What is “unfinished business” in the context of grief? Provide examples of elements that may contribute to unfinished business.
Unfinished business refers to aspects in a relationship that feel incomplete or unresolved between the deceased and the bereaved. Examples include long-standing conflicts, unfulfilled plans, dreams, or deathbed promises. These elements make the grieving process more challenging.
Discuss how sudden deaths, such as homicide, suicide, or accidents, impact survivors. What are their common reactions, and why do they seek details about the event?
Sudden deaths often lead survivors to perceive the world as dangerous, unsafe, or unfair. Survivors typically seek details to make sense of the loss. The sudden and unexpected nature of these deaths contributes to the need for information.
Define disenfranchised grief and provide examples. How does the lack of social support or acknowledgment interfere with the grieving process?
Disenfranchised grief is connected with a loss that is not socially supported or acknowledged. Examples include chosen family/friends, affairs, secondary partners, pets, ex-spouses, abortions, and the death of unborn children. Lack of social recognition hinders the normal grieving process.
How is the death of a child perceived according to DeSpelder & Strickland? What challenges do parents face in terms of societal acknowledgment of newborn or infant loss?
The death of a child is considered the most untimely and overwhelming, conflicting with the primary task of being a parent. Newborn or infant loss may not be acknowledged by others, leading bereaved parents to maintain an inner representation of their deceased child through memories and spiritual beliefs.
Explain the different reproductive/childbearing losses discussed, including miscarriage, abortion, and stillbirth. How do parents cope with stillbirth, and what rituals are mentioned as potentially helpful?
Reproductive/childbearing losses include miscarriage before the twentieth week, grief with abortion, and stillbirth occurring between the twentieth week of gestation and birth. Parents are encouraged to see and hold their deceased infant, with rituals seen as an antidote to powerlessness. Naming the stillborn is a common practice.
Define neonatal death and postneonatal death, highlighting their timeframes. Discuss the challenges parents may face when dealing with decisions about medical interventions for a newborn.
Neonatal death occurs within the first 28 days after birth, often due to life-threatening conditions. Postneonatal death occurs between 28 days and under one year. Parents may grapple with difficult decisions regarding medical interventions, particularly in cases of premature birth or congenital defects.
What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and what factors contribute to its complexity for grieving families?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the death of an apparently healthy infant usually before one year, with no known definitive cause. The unexpected nature, uncertain cause, young age of the child, and young age of parents contribute to the complexity of SIDS. Investigations, risk factors like low birth weight or maternal drug use, and the unexplained nature of the death make it challenging for grieving families.
Discuss the mourning process for parents experiencing the death of an older child. How do accidents play a role, and what challenges arise in the case of a child with a terminal illness?
Mourning for the death of an older child is complex, especially with accidents being a major cause among children ages 5-24. For those with a terminally ill child, there’s a challenge to shift between hope for recovery and acceptance of the inevitable. Parents cope better if their identity is not solely based on being a parent and if they have other accomplishments, interests, and values.
Explain the concept of “death out of sequence” concerning the death of an adult child. What unique challenges might older parents face, and why could there be a sense of competition within families?
“Death out of sequence” refers to the death of an adult child, which may be particularly challenging for older parents who may lose their caregiver. There could be a sense of competing for the role of most bereaved, especially when the deceased child has a spouse and children. Older adults who lost an adult child may lack social support, and there could be difficulties in support between family members facing different issues.
What are some situations that may complicate the mourning process, according to Rando (1993)?
Sudden, unanticipated death (especially when traumatic), death from an overly lengthy illness, death of a child, the bereaved’s perception that death was preventable, relationships with the deceased characterized by anger, ambivalence, or dependence, prior or current mental health problems or unprocessed losses, and a perceived lack of social support.
