week 11: grief

Question 1

what does the family systems theory tell us about grief

Answer 1

a change in one family member affects all family members
family behaviours are best understood in circular patterns
family can create balance between change and stability

Question 2

what are the two main family grief responses

Answer 2

positive: draws people closer, talking about experience
challenging: protecting one another, displacement of feelings, conflict, blaming, enmeshment, collapse of boundaries

Question 3

what is family adaptation in regards to grief

Answer 3

regaining balance in a system by making adjustments and reorganising roles

Question 4

what are the main factors that influence adaptation

Answer 4

details of loss
level of cohesion
family communication
unspoken family roles
normal or maladaptive processes
availability of social network
grief responses
functional position of the decreased (mom is probably harder to adapt to)

Question 5

what are the three periods of the grieving process

Answer 5

1. crisis
2. leaning to cope
   3 establishing a new equilibrium

Question 6

what are the main aspects of the crisis period

Answer 6

making memories before death
decision making at end of life
surviving immediately after
emotional reaction s

Question 7

what are the main aspects of the “learning to cope period”

Answer 7

coping strategies
dealing with avoidant coping

Question 8

what are the main aspects of “establish a new equilibrium”

Answer 8

family dynamics: positive vs. challenging grief reactions
new orientation to life
maintaining connections with children

Question 9

what is the theory of chronic sorrow

Answer 9

cyclical grief
grief that occurs through different stages of intensity at various times during the lifetime of an individual with serious or chronic conditions

not clinical depression that is different