3b: Death, Dying & Bereavement

Question 1

Kubler-Ross’s stage theory of adjustment

Answer 1

1. Denial = “This isn’t happening” pscyhological defence in attempt to cushion impact
2. Anger = “Why me?” sense of unfairness, outbursts of anger
3. Bargaining = Trying to fix things, attempts to make deals
4. Depression = “Im heartbroken”
5. Acceptance = Working on coping strategies

Question 2

What are Wortman & Silver’s 5 myths of coping with loss?

Answer 2

1. Distress/depression is inevitable
2. Distress is necessary, failure to experience this indicates pathology
3. The importance of working through the loss
4. The expectation of recovery
5. Reaching a state of resolution

Question 3

What are the 5 dimensions of Leventhal’s self-regulatory model for illness? Draw it out

Answer 3

Stage 1: Interpretation
Stage 2: Coping
Stage 3: Appraisal

Interlinked to

1. Representation of health threat:
   - Identity
   - Cause
   - Consequences
   - Time line
   - Curability/controlability
2. Emotional response to threat (fear, anxiety, depression)

The model is ‘self-regulatory’ because these components are interlinked, maintaining state of equilibrium (i.e. HEALTH)

Model not ideal for terminal illness patients