quiz. 2 (Four Tasks of Mourning) and 3 (Mediators of Mourning)

exam is 9/24. study hard and the world is yours.

who came up with the four tasks of mourning?

John William Worden

what is the first task of mourning?

accept the reality of death

what is the second task of mourning?

experience pain of death

what is the third task of mourning?

adjust to the environment in which deceased is missing

what is the fourth task of mourning?

finding a new connection with deceased in midst of embarking on a new life

what did Vamik D. Volkan think about mourning?

mourning ends when mourner no longer has a need to reactivate representation of death with exaggerated intensity in course of daily living

what did Shucter and Zisook think about mourning?

survivor’s readiness to enter new relationship depends not on giving up dead spouse but on finding suitable place for a spouse in mental life of bereaved, a place that is important but leaves room for others

what are some things to avoid saying to a grieving person?

• I understand

• Death was a blessing

• You’re still young

• You can have other kids/remarry

• Call me when I can help

• Put it behind you

• Stay strong

reality of death becomes so much more real after the first…

year without the decedent

what are some things you can say to a grieving person? Mileage may vary

• I’m sorry

• How are you doing with all this?

• What can I do for you?

• I’m here, I will listen

• Take all the time you need

what is abnormal grief?

active suicidal/homicidal ideation, plan, intention and means

what are some ways during the third task that family can carry on legacy of deceased?

hand molds, fingerprints, scrapbooks, monuments, web pages

who conducted the child bereavement study at Harvard?

Worden and Silverman followed 125 parentally bereaved children and families at Massachusetts General Hospital and provided insight into process of grief, study showed that a large number of children stayed connected with deceased parents by speaking to, thinking of, dreaming of and feeling watched over by deceased parent

what is mediator 1?

relation of person who died to the survivor, close relationship usually intensifies grief

what is mediator 2?

nature of attachment to deceased (strength, security of attachment, ambivalence in relationship, conflicts with deceased, dependent relationships - how much do they rely on this person?)

what is mediator 3?

how decedent died (affected by proximity to decedent, suddenness of death, violence associated with death, if losses have occurred within a short period of time, preventability of death, stigmatized deaths)

what is mediator 4?

understanding how a survivor has experienced loss previously/if they have experienced loss previously

what are some other factors affecting mediator 4?

unresolved loss and grief from previous losses, a person’s mental health history, if a person has an unhealthy family relationship that grief will complicate

what is mediator 5?

personality, age, and gender variables that effect grief

what is problem solving coping?

change to a method that works or ineffectively quit when one method used doesn’t work

what is active emotional coping?

redefinition or ability to find something positive in a bad situation

what is avoidant emotional coping?

least effective, involves blaming, distraction, social withdrawal

what is a secure attachment style?

developed through good parenting and other early healthy relationships, when loss is experienced pain or sorrow is processed and developing continuing bonds with lost loved ones

what is attachment style?

healthy adaptation to internalize deceased into themselves, developed as a child

what is an insecure attachment style?

when parenting/early relationships are not secure

what are the four kinds of insecure attachment style?

anxious/preoccupied, anxious/ambivalent, avoidant/dismissal, avoidant/fearful attachment

what is anxious/preoccupied attachment?

sensitive to slights and neglect in relationship, show high levels of stress and coping is difficult

what is anxious/ambivalent attachment?

love and hate coexist in a relationship, love coming out after death

what is avoidant/dismissal attachment?

behavior is organized around self reliance and independence, show minimal emotion to death

what is avoidant/fearful attachment?

have long histories of tentative attachments and can go into depression when attachment is severed by death

what does ego strength depend on?

self esteem and self efficacy

what is the assumptive world?

beliefs and values, death can create a spiritual crisis

what is mediator 6?

social variables; grieving is a social phenomenon, perceived social support effects grieving process 

taking on more social roles can…

…help people through the transition period of grief

what is mediator 7?

concurrent stress; experiencing high levels of other disruptions following death 

when is mourning finished?

mourning is finished when person completes final mourning phase of restitution or all the tasks of mourning have been accomplished, when a person can think of decedent without pain and reinvest emotions into life and living