Death, Dying and Bereavement

Question 1

Describe Kubler-Ross’s stage theory of adjustment (basic outline)

Answer 1

5 reactions of someone dealing with death (DABDA):
Denial
Anger 
Bargaining 
Depression
Acceptance

Question 2

What are the Five myths of coping with loss (Wortman & Silver)

Answer 2

Distress or depression is inevitable
Distress is necessary, and failure to experience distress is indicative of pathology
The importance of ‘working through’ the loss
Expectations of recovery
Reaching a state of resolution

Question 3

What is Leventhal’s illness representations

Answer 3

Patients’ beliefs about theirillnesscomprise 5 key domains, used to aid understanding ofillnessand guide a coping response

Question 4

What are the 5 dimensions of illness representations (Leventhal)

Answer 4

Identity
Cause 
Consequences 
Timeline 
Curability/Controllability

Question 5

Give examples of each of the 5 dimensions of illness representations (Leventhal)

Answer 5

Identity – e.g. ‘I have a cold, with a sore throat and a runny nose’
Cause – e.g. ‘my cold was caused by being run down’
Consequences – e.g. ‘my cold will prevent me from doing sport this week’
Timeline – e.g. ‘my cold will be gone in a few days’
Curability/Controllability – e.g. ‘if I rest my cold will resolve quickly’