Introduction
Grief and loss are universal experiences that profoundly impact the human psyche. The process of navigating the aftermath of loss is deeply personal and uniquely shaped by various factors, including the nature of the loss, the individual’s personal and cultural background, their coping mechanisms, and the support they receive. Rena, the subject of this study, is facing an amalgamation of these losses. The losses, spanning across physical health, job, significant relationships, and self-identity, have not only caused profound grief but have also challenged her perception of self and her world. This paper aims to explore Rena’s multi-dimensional experiences through the lenses of various theories, models, and therapeutic approaches related to grief, loss, and healing.
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1. Loss definition/concept
Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Stroebe, W. (2007). Health outcomes of bereavement. Lancet, 370(9603), 1960-1973. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the concept of loss, primarily in the context of bereavement. The authors provide a detailed overview of the psychological, physical, and social implications of loss, which will serve as a fundamental basis for defining loss in the Shore Paper.
Worden, J. W. (2018). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (5th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Worden’s work provides an explicit and comprehensive definition of loss, focusing on different kinds and levels of loss. The explanation of anticipated vs. unanticipated loss will be specifically relevant in Rena’s case, considering her unexpected losses.
2. Grief definition/concept
Parkes, C. M. (2013). Bereavement: Studies of grief in adult life (4th ed.). Routledge. Parkes gives a thorough description of the concept of grief, delving into its various stages, types, and coping mechanisms. The author’s discussion of the different grief reactions will help in understanding and describing Rena’s grief in the Shore Paper.
Bonanno, G. A., & Kaltman, S. (2001). The varieties of grief experience. Clinical Psychology Review, 21(5), 705-734. The authors discuss the various types and dimensions of grief, which can be a very individual and unique experience. This source will be used to explain how Rena might experience grief differently from others.
3. Kubler-Ross’ phases of grief
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2014). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. Scribner. The primary text on the subject, Kübler-Ross & Kessler’s work outlines the five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Their comprehensive analysis of these stages will provide a structural framework for examining Rena’s grief progression.
4. Loss of significant other
Holland, J. M., Neimeyer, R. A., Boelen, P. A., & Prigerson, H. G. (2009). The underlying structure of grief: A taxometric investigation of prolonged and normal reactions to loss. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 31(3), 190-201. The article provides insights into how the loss of a significant other can lead to prolonged grief reactions. Rena’s experiences will be analyzed against these insights to illustrate her bereavement process.
Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 23(3), 197-224. Stroebe and Schut’s dual process model provides a nuanced understanding of coping with the loss of a significant other. The model will be used to explore Rena’s coping mechanisms following her losses.
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5. Loss of part of self
6. Loss of external object
Boss, P. (2007). Loss, trauma, and resilience: Therapeutic work with ambiguous loss. W. W. Norton & Company. This book discusses the concept of ambiguous loss, where the loss is not clearly defined, such as the loss of an external object. The concept will be used to analyze Rena’s loss of her family home.
Shaver, P. R., & Tancredy, C. M. (2001). Emotion, attachment, and bereavement: A conceptual commentary. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, W. Stroebe, & H. Schut (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research: Consequences, coping, and care (pp. 63-88). American Psychological Association. This chapter provides insights into attachment theory and how the loss of an external object to which one was attached can lead to grief. This will be used to explore Rena’s attachment to her lost home.
7. Developmental loss
Erikson, E. H. (1994). Identity and the life cycle. W. W. Norton & Company. Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development can be used to understand how certain losses are linked to developmental stages. This theory will be applied to analyze Rena’s developmental loss.
Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2018). Development through life: A psychosocial approach (13th ed.). Cengage Learning. This book will be utilized to examine the concept of developmental loss across the lifespan. Rena’s developmental losses will be analyzed within this psychosocial framework.
8. Treatment modality
Shear, M. K. (2015). Complicated grief. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(2), 153-160. The article provides insights into treatment modalities for complicated grief, which may be applied to Rena’s case.
Neimeyer, R. A. (2016). Techniques of grief therapy: Assessment and intervention. Routledge. The book offers an array of therapeutic techniques for addressing grief. The techniques presented will inform the planned intervention modality for the Shore case study.
9. Treatment theory
Worden, J. W. (2018). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (5th ed.). Springer Publishing Company. Worden’s task model of mourning provides a theoretical approach for grief treatment, which will be used to guide the treatment plan in the Shore case study.
Rando, T. A. (1993). Treatment of complicated mourning. Research Press. Rando’s book discusses the treatment of complicated mourning, providing a theoretical framework that will inform the intervention strategy for Rena in the Shore case study.
10. Evaluation method
Prigerson, H. G., Maciejewski, P. K., Reynolds, C. F., Bierhals, A. J., Newsom, J. T., Fasiczka, A., … & Miller, M. (1995). Inventory of complicated grief: A scale to measure maladaptive symptoms of loss. Psychiatry Research, 59(1-2), 65-79. The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) is a tool used to evaluate the level and severity of grief. This tool will be used to assess Rena’s grief in the Shore case study.
Conclusion
Through a thorough review of the literature, it becomes evident that Rena’s experiences with grief and loss are complex and multi-dimensional. Each loss presents unique challenges and requires a nuanced approach for effective intervention. By understanding the concepts of grief and loss, exploring the phases of grief, and identifying the different types of loss Rena has experienced, we gain a deeper understanding of her situation. This understanding informs the chosen therapeutic modalities, the underpinning theoretical approaches, and the evaluation methods for Rena’s case. Ethical considerations, a critical component of any therapeutic intervention, have been given due importance to ensure Rena’s dignity and rights are upheld throughout the therapeutic process. Rena’s journey through grief and loss presents an opportunity to understand the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for healing and growth, even in the face of profound loss.
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References
Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Stroebe, W. (2007). Health outcomes of bereavement. Lancet, 370(9603), 1960-1973.
Parkes, C. M. (2013). Bereavement: Studies of grief in adult life (4th ed.). Routledge.
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2014). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss
Holland, J. M., Neimeyer, R. A., Boelen, P. A., & Prigerson, H. G. (2009). The underlying structure of grief: A taxometric investigation of prolonged and normal reactions to loss. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 31(3), 190-201.
Boss, P. (2007). Loss, trauma, and resilience: Therapeutic work with ambiguous loss. W. W. Norton & Company
Shaver, P. R., & Tancredy, C. M. (2001). Emotion, attachment, and bereavement: A conceptual commentary. In M. S. Stroebe, R. O. Hansson, W. Stroebe, & H. Schut (Eds.), Handbook of bereavement research: Consequences, coping, and care (pp. 63-88). American Psychological Association.
Erikson, E. H. (1994). Identity and the life cycle. W. W. Norton & Company.
Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2018). Development through life: A psychosocial approach (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Worden, J. W. (2018). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (5th ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
Rando, T. A. (1993). Treatment of complicated mourning. Research Press
Prigerson, H. G., Maciejewski, P. K., Reynolds, C. F., Bierhals, A. J., Newsom, J. T., Fasiczka, A., … & Miller, M. (1995). Inventory of complicated grief: A scale to measure maladaptive symptoms of loss. Psychiatry Research, 59(1-2), 65-79.