Mediators of Mourning

What are the mediators of mourning?

A LIST OF VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE THE EXPERIENCE AND INTENSITY OF GRIEF FOR AN INDIVIDUAL

How many mediating factors are there?

Seven

Who developed the mediating factors?

j. William Worden

Mediator #1

WHAT SORT OF KINSHIP EXISTED BETWEEN THE

DECEASED AND THE SURVIVOR. THE CLOSER THE RELATIONSHIP USUALLY INTENSIFIES THE GRIEF

Mediator #2

nature of attachment, STRENGTH OF THE attachment, security of the attachment, ambivalence in the relationship, conflicts with the deceased, and dependent relationships

Mediator #3

how the deceased died: natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal.

factors of mediator #3

PROXIMITY: WITH GREATER DISTANCE ALSO COMES A SENSE OF UNREALITY REGARDING THE DEATH, SUDDENNESS OR UNEXPECTEDNESS: USUALLY THE MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE DEATH THE EASIER IT IS TO GRIEVE, VIOLENT/TRAUMATIC DEATHS: IMPACT CAN BE LONG LASTING AND LEAD TO COMPLICATED GRIEF, MULTIPLE LOSSES: TOO MUCH GRIEF AND PAIN CAN LEAD TO THE INABILITY TO MANAGE FEELINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOURNING; PREVENTABLE DEATHS: ISSUES OF GUILT, BLAME, AND CULPABILITY COME TO THE SURFACE. AMBIGUOUS DEATHS: EMOTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH NOT KNOWING IF YOUR

LOVED ONE DIED OR NOT, STIGMATIZED DEATHS: SOCIAL STIGMA RELATED TO THE DEATH MAY lessen SUPPORT FOR THE SURVIVOR (AIDS OR SUICIDE)

Mediator #4

Historical antecedents. TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE WILL GRIEVE, YOU SHOULD FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS IN THE PAST AND HOW THEY DEALT WITH THE LOSS. UNRESOLVED LOSS AND GRIEF CAN TRANSCEND SEVERAL GENERATIONS AND AFFECT THE CURRENT MOURNING PROCESS. MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY. FAMILY ISSUES- UNRESOLVED LOSS OF GRIEF THAT IS STILL PRESENT

Mediator #5

personality variables: age and gender, coping style, attachment style, cognitive style, optimistic/pessimistic, ego-strength, beliefs and value

Mediator #5- age and gender

WOMEN AND MEN GRIEVE DIFFERENTLY AND USUALLY OLDER SURVIVORS GRIEVE BETTER THAN YOUNGER

mediator #5- coping style

the changing thoughts and acts that an individual uses to manage the internal and external demands of stressful situations

different coping styles

problem solving, active emotional, avoidant emotional

Attachment style

usually DEVELOPED AS A CHILD, A HEALTHY ADAPTATION IS TO INTERNALIZE THE DECEASED INTO

THEMSELVES

secure attachment style

DEVELOPED THROUGH GOOD PARENTING AND OTHER EARLY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. WHEN A LOSS IS EXPERIENCED, THE PAIN OF SORROW IS PROCESSED AND DEVELOP CONTINUING BONDS WITH THE LOST LOVED One

anxious/preoccupied attachment style

SUPER SENSITIVE TO SLIGHTS AND OTHER NEGLECT IN A RELATIONSHIP. SHOW HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS AT THE TIME OF A DEATH AND COPING IS DIFFICULT

anxious/ambivalent attachment style

LOVE AND HATE COEXIST IN A RELATIONSHIP. USUALLY ONLY THE LOVE COMES OUT WHEN THE PERSON DIES AND MAKES THEM LARGER THAN LIFE

avoidant/dismissive attachment style

BEHAVIOR IS ORGANIZED AROUND THE GOAL OF SELF-RELIANCE AND INDEPENDENCE. SHOW MINIMAL EMOTIONS TO A DEATH

avoidant/fearful attachment style

HAVE LONG HISTORIES OF TENTATIVE ATTACHMENTS AND CAN GO INTO DEPRESSION WHEN AN ATTACHMENT IS SEVERED DUE TO A DEATH

SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF EFFICACY

THE BETTER THE SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF EFFICACY, THE

EASIER THE ADJUSTMENT TO A LOSS

THOSE THAT FIND THAT ALL THINGS ARE PART OF GOD'S

GREATER PLAN

ADJUST TO THE DEATH EASIER

THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

MAY HAVE A HARDER TIME COPING

Mediator #6: social variables

GRIEVING IS A SOCIAL PHENOMENON. THE PERCEIVED

SOCIAL SUPPORT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE A FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GRIEVING

Social mediators

SUPPORT SATISFACTION: IS THE SUPPORT AVAILABLE

ADEQUATE OR LACKING? SOCIAL ROLE INVOLVEMENT: THE MORE SOCIAL ROLES ONE TAKES ON IN SUPPORT, THE BETTER THE TRANSITION CAN BE. RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC EXPECTATIONS: DIFFERENT SOCIAL GROUPS AND RELIGIONS HAVE RITUALS THAT CAN ASSIST WITH THE BEREAVED

Mediator #7- concurrent stress

EXPERIENCING HIGH LEVELS OF DISRUPTION

(SECONDARY LOSS) FOLLOWING A DEATH CAN CREATE

HIGHER LEVELS OF DEPRESSION

WHEN IS MOURNING FINISHED?

WHEN THE PERSON: COMPLETES

THE FINAL MOURNING PHASE OF RESTITUTION OR ALL

THE TASKS OF MOURNING HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. IS ABLE TO THINK OF THE PERSON WITHOUT PAIN. PERSON CAN REINVEST HIS OR HER EMOTIONS INTO LIFE AND IN THE LIVING