(1-2) Betz & Thorngren (2006) Ambiguous Loss and the Family Grieving Process Flashcards
What is ambiguous loss?
When a person is physically absent yet psychologically present. Or someone being physically present but psychologically absent.
A child given up for adoption
A soldier listed as MIA
Divorced father no longer living with children
Alzheimer’s disease
Alcoholism
Parent preoccupied with career
What are Marginalized/Disenfranchised/Discounted griefs?
Lack of nominal or negligible social validation of a loss by others. AKA marginalized grief.
Stillbirth or miscarriage, Death of homosexual partner, Suicide, Death of an individual from AIDS
OR socially stigmatized illness , Death of a pet.
A (stressor)
What is the actual stressor?
Defining the loss
B (resources)
What are family members doing or not doing to cope with the loss? What can be done differently?
C (definition of the situation)
Thoughts and feelings about the loss
No rituals for mourning
X (crisis)
Physically
Fatigue, sleep disruption, headaches, stomachaches
Cognitively
Preoccupation with the loss, forgetfulness, worrying
Behaviourally
Talkativeness, quietness, crying, hyperactivity, inactivity
Emotionally
Loneliness, anxiety, depression, fear, anger, irritability
What is narrative therapy?
Assumes each individual is the author of his/her own life
Within each life, there are a multitude of stories that could be told
Some stories are more meaningful and useful than others
Stories of loss could have plots of blame and guilt or hope and good memories
What is ABC-X and Narrative Therapy?
A (stressor)
Ask each family member to tell story of loss
Assists with “naming” the stressor
B (resources)
Are family members allowing themselves to do healthy activities despite their grief?
C (definition of the situation)
What is each person telling him/herself about the loss?
Lay to rest guilt and blame, create a new meaning system incorporating what they have learned about themselves and each other.
Help families develop rituals
