Psychology of Loss Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is bereavement?
The objective event of loss, from the root word “torn up,” implying sudden separation
What is mourning?
The process of incorporating a loss into ongoing life, often influenced by social and cultural norms
What is grief?
The reaction to loss, encompassing thoughts, feelings, physical expressions, behaviors, and spiritual responses
Why might modern mourning customs create confusion?
Lack of regulated formal customs leads to varied interpretations of “appropriate” behavior
How does mourning signal a difference in the bereaved?
Seclusion allows gfief sheltering and prevents forgetting the decreased too quickly
What are the six domains of grief?
Thoughts, feelings, physical expressions, behaviors, spiritual responses, and dreams/sensations of the deceased
What brain areas are involved in grief?
Nucleus accumbens (reward/yearning)
Dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, insula, periaqueductal gray (pain)
What is the most stressful life event according to studies?
Death of a spouse
Why might grieving individuals feel like they are “going crazy”?
Grief can be intense, unpredictable, and wave-like, leading to unusual symptoms
What percentage of children experience the death of a close person by age 18?
20%
How many college students mourn multiple losses with a year
A significant proportion
What is Takotsubo caridomyopathy?
“Broken heart syndrome,” where stress leads to heart muscle failure
What mental health issues are linked to bereavement?
Depression, loneliness, anger, and PTDS for horrific deaths
What is the most common bereavement pattern?
The resilient pattern (35-65%) with low adjustment difficulties
Which pattern involves high adjustment difficulties that persist over time?
The chronic pattern (5-30%)
How does grief differ between women and men?
Women express more intense and longer-lasting grief than men
How do chinese mourning practices influence grief compared to American practices?
Chinese rituals lead to quicker but intense grift with faster recovery, while Americans experiences slower, individualistic grieving
How is childhood grief unique?
It depends on the child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, as well as their understanding of death concepts
How does grief differ between mothers and fathers?
Mothers feel deeply personal loss, while fathers focus on managing the family’s grief
Why is the unexpected death of a loved one particularly challenging?
It involves unfinished business, lack of goodbyes, and unpreparedness
What mental health disorders are associated with unexpected death?
Major depression, PTSD, and panic disorder
What is disenfranchised grief?
Grief that lacks social acknowledgment of the mourner’s relationship to the deceased or their ability to grieve
Why is disenfranchised grief emotionally painful?
Grieving is a social process, and lack of acknowledgement isolated and distresses the mourner
