Loss and Coping Flashcards
What are some examples of loss someone might experience?
Financial loss
Loss of job/home
Loss of independence
Loss of loved ones
What are some physical symptoms someone might experience if they experience loss?
Tight chest
Breathless
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
What are some psychosomatic symptoms someone might experience if they experience loss?
Difficulty concentrating
Intense sadness
Distress
Anxiety
Define grief.
Normal process of reacting to loss. There are no set pattern but can be ‘complicated’
What are 2 types of grief?
Minimal grief - absence of grief
Chronic grief - prolonged grieving
What is bereavement?
Period of sadness after losing a loved one.
Not exclusive to loss of life - can relate to loss of function or injury
What is Frued’s 1917 theory of mourning and melancholia?
Mourning is a reaction to loss.
Hyper-remembering is comparing memories with reality.
What are some weaknesses of Frued’s 1917 theory of grief?
Very brief model, excludes emotional attachment and chronic grief
What is Lindemann 1944’s theory of psychosomatic perspective on dealing with acute grief?
A method to try and remove the bond with the deceased in an attempt to help move on from their loss
What are the 3 grief tasks proposed by Lindemann (1944)
- Emancipation from bondage to the deceased
- Readjustment to a new environment in which the deceased is missing
- Formation of new relationships
What are some symptoms of grief Lindemann (1944) discovered from bereaved family members from the Cocoanut Grove Fire
Somatic disease Guilt Preoccupation of images of the deceased Hostile reactions Loss of pattern of conduct Adopting traits of the deceased
What is Kubler-Ross (1969) stages of grief?
Assumes everyone will go through 5 stages of grief.
A way of figuring out where the patient is in terms of grief process and what help is most needed to help overcome grief
What are the 5 stages of grief proposed by Kubler-Ross (1969)
Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
What are some criticisms of Kubler-Ross (1969) stages of grief?
Not everyone goes through all 5 stages. Everyone deals with grief differently as it is not a fixed emotional state.
What is Bowlby (1969) attachment and loss theory?
Attachment ‘lasting psychological connectedness between human beings’
Grief is the normal affective response when the affectional bond breaks
What are the 4 phases of grief proposed by Bowlby (1969)?
- Shock and numbness
- Yearning and searching
- Despair and disorganization
- Reorganization and recovery
What are the problems with the stage/task driven models of loss and grieving?
Not a linear process.
Stages might repeat
One size does not fit all
Importance of finding meaning
What is Klass, Silverman & Nickman (1996) continuing bonds theory
Challenges the belief that ‘holding on’ is pathological
Continuing the bond can be normal, adaptive and comforting
Constructing new relationships
What is the dual process model proposed by Strobe & Schut (1999)
A dynamic process where loss and emotions are revisited.
The model recognises each individual is unique in their reaction and takes into account the effect of cultural and religious beliefs.
What does the duel process model suggest?
Recognises the importance of finding meaning.
Tries to find a silver lining/positivity to help overcome grief and find a new meaning to it.
What is coping?
Coping is the dynamic process by which people try and manage the perceived discrepancy between demands and resources
What is primary coping resources according to the transactional model of stress/coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)
Personal attributes
Stable environment attributes
What is secondary coping resources according to the transactional model of stress/coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)
Emotion or problem focused coping
What are short-term outcomes of coping according to the transactional model of stress/coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)
Relaxation
Mood
What are long-term outcomes of coping according to the transactional model of stress/coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)
Physical health
Mental health
Life satisfaction
What is locus of control?
May affect how someone copes with stress or perceive a diagnosis
Internal LOC = believe lifestyle and their actions affects their life
External LOC = may believe fate controls life
What are the 3 coping mechanisms proposed by Shontz, 1975
Shock (emergency response)
Encounter (disorganised thinking, grief, depression)
Retreat (avoidance, denial)
What is appraisal-focused coping?
Logical analysis and mental preparation
Cognitive redefinition
Cognitive avoidance or denial
What is problem-focused coping?
Informed gathering
Problem-solving
Identifying rewards
What is emotional-focused coping?
Regulation of emotions
Emotional discharge (venting)
Resigned acceptance
What is the monitoring style in coping?
Miller’s (1980)
Information seeking
Adaptive is perceived as controllable
What is the blunting style in coping?
Miller’s (1980)
Information avoiding
Shields the individual from an increase in arousal
Useful in uncontrollable situations
What is the role of personality in coping?
Stable individual difference in inclination to employ a monitoring or blunting style
How can we help with coping with loss?
CBT
psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful thought processes and unhelpful behaviour
What are some benefits of problem-solving therapy?
The ability to make effective decisions
Having a toolbox of problem-solving thoughts
Confidence that you can handle problems
Systematic approach to problem-solving
Ability to identify stressors and triggers
