Chapter 10 - loss and grief

Question 1

definition of bereavement?

Answer 1

having something taken away from us

Question 2

definition of grief?

Answer 2

the emotion that accompanies bereavement and is a unique experience for everyone

Question 3

definition of mourning?

Answer 3

social face of grief and is influenced by other cultures

Question 4

what factors can affect the manifestations of grief?

Answer 4

the circumstances surrounding the death
natures of the relationship with the deceased
family history of death/bereavement
previous losses
temperament/personality/mental health of the bereaved person
availability of support
social, cultural and religious framework

Question 5

what are some physical manifestations of grief?

Answer 5

breathlessness
heightened sensitivity to noise
feeling "hollowness"
lethargy and fatigue
muscle ache
loss of appetite

Question 6

what are some emotional manifestations of grief?

Answer 6

shock and numbness
sadness
anxiety
yearning for the person to "return"
feelings of anger
hopelessness

Question 7

what are some cognitive manifestations of grief?

Answer 7

preoccupation with the deceased person
a sense of the presence of the person e.g. auditory or visual
loss of conc + short term memory

Question 8

what are some behavioural manifestations of grief?

Answer 8

sleep disturbances
withdrawal from social situations, particularly those that hold reminders of the deceased
searching for reminders of the deceased, visiting familiar places, carrying objects that are reminders of the deceased
restlessness

Question 9

what factors may make grief more difficult?

Answer 9

interpersonal - ambivalent or dependent relationship with the deceased
circumstantial - tragic sudden death
historical - previous unresolved loss, history of depression
personality - low level fo resilience and emotional tolerance
social structure - lack of support, perceived or otherwise

Question 10

what are 5 theories of grief?

Answer 10

worden (1991)
kubler-ross (1970)
Stroebe M and Schut H (2010) 
Silverman Kass (1996)
Bowlbys attachment theory

Question 11

what is the Worden (1991) theory of grief?

Answer 11

Refers to “tasks of mourning” and suggests mourning is a process:
task 1 - to accept the reality of the loss
task 2 - to work through the pain of grief
task 3 - to adjust to an environment where the deceased is missing
task 4 - to emotionally relocate the deceased and move on with life

Question 12

what is the kubler-ross(1970) theory of grief?

Answer 12

refers to the five stages of grief, and is one of the most famous models:

denial
anger
bargaining 
depression
accceptance

Question 13

what is the Strobe M and Schut H (2010) model of grief?

Answer 13

they propose a dynamic dual process model of coping with grief, and suggest that people oscillate between “loss oriented experiences” and “restoration oriented activity”

loss oriented experiences - crying, anger, focusing on the circumstances of the death and avoidance of the restoration oriented acitivties

restoration oriented activity - changes to lifestyle/routine/relationship as a result of the loss, this involves finding ways to adapt to the change

Question 14

what is the Silverman and Klass (1996) model of grief

Answer 14

describes bereavement as a series of negotiations over time, and contend that grief is never fully resolved. The continuing bond model focuses on incorporating the memory of the deceased into their on-going lives and recognise their enduring influence.

Question 15

what is Bolwbys attachment theory in relation to grief?

Answer 15

identifies 4 phases of mourning:

1) numbing
2) yearning and searching
3) disorganisation
4) reorganisation

Question 16

what are some important ways to aid bereavement/grief in children/young people?

Answer 16

ensure routine is maintained
reassurance they are still cared for and loved despite what is going on around them
talking directly with the child

Question 17

what are some ways of communicating with children/young people regarding death of their loved one?

Answer 17

• Use clear words “death” and “die” as other words may be misunderstood
• Avoid telling them everything in one sitting - give the opportunity to give small chunks of information for them to digest then come back with questions
• Honesty - don’t give false hope as this will affect the trust between children and adults
• Future - explain what will happen in the future

Question 18

what might happen if a child is not told what is happening?

Answer 18

They will make sense of their own reality. This will rarely be correct, and may be even worse than what is actually happening.
Older children can feel angry that they have not been told and question why, or believe they are not important enough to be told things. They may resent the adult who did not tell them, and this can lead to lack of trust in the future.

Question 19

what are some activities to prepare children for the death of someone significant to them?

Answer 19

memory boxes
letters, cards, videos - for themselves for the future 
drawings 
worry dolls 
memory or feelings jars

Question 20

what are some practical measures to help someone who has been bereaved?

Answer 20

take time to listen to them, talk to them or just be with them - walk and talk groups
food - take food round to them
support with paperwork
support with household tasks
ongoing support in the weeks to months after the death
bereavement counselling