Grief and loss across the lifespan : a biopsychosocial perspective / Carolyn Ambler Walter, Judith L.M. McCoyd.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walter, Carolyn Ambler.

Contributor:

McCoyd, Judith L. M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bereavement--Psychological aspects.

Bereavement.

Death--Psychological aspects.

Death.

Loss (Psychology).

Grief.

Medical Subjects:

Bereavement.

Grief.

Death.

Physical Description:

xviii, 373 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Springer Pub. Co., [2009]

Summary:

Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan is unique in its treatment of grieving patterns and intervention strategies for different age groups. With this book, students and practitioners will learn how grief is influenced by biological responses to stress, psychological responses to loss, as well as social norms and support networks.

The authors utilize a developmental framework, as each level of development from infancy through old age is addressed in four ways:

Reviews normal developmental issues, abilities, and challenges for the age in question

Analyzes how individuals of each age cope with serious loss of a significant other, and how they may experience life-threatening illness themselves

Examines how significant others react to and mourn the death of someone in that age range

Identifies the normative losses a person is likely to experience, and addresses protective and risky ways of coping with those losses

The authors review classical grief theories, such as postmodern and Dual Process Theory, and discuss current topics in grief, including continuing bonds, meaning making, ambiguous loss, and disenfranchised loss. With the help of this book, practitioners and students of grief counseling can learn to help patients of all ages understand that loss is at the heart of life and growth.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

Text Structure 2

Introduction to Grief Theory 3

Classical Grief Theory: Task-Based Theories 4

Classical Grief Theory: Stage-Based Theories 7

The Transition to Postmodern Grief Theory 13

Meaning-Making and Grief 14

Dual Process Theory 16

Continuing Bonds and Grief 17

Disenfranchised Grief 18

Ambiguous Loss 19

Biological Effects of Grief 20

Issues of Intervention 23

A Final Word About Grief Work 25

2 Perinatal Attachment and Loss 27

Developmental Aspects of Pregnancy 28

Biological Developmental Context of Pregnancy 29

Psychological Aspects of Pregnancy 30

Social Aspects of Pregnancy 33

Summary of Development in the Prenatal Period 35

Loss as Experienced by a Fetus 36

Loss of a Fetus as Experienced by Significant Others 37

Infertility 37

Reproductive Health Conditions 38

Biological Changes Associated With Intrauterine Fetal Death 39

Psychological Aspects of IUFD 41

Social Aspects of IUFD 46

Readings

Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Medical Complication of Pregnancy / Shari Munch 49

Heartbreaking Choices and Losses of Potential / Anonymous 58

Summary 66

3 Infancy and Toddlerhood 69

Developmental Stage: Trust Versus Mistrust and Autonomy Versus Shame 70

Biological Development 71

Psychological Development 72

Social Development 74

Losses Experienced in Infancy and Early Childhood 75

Loss of Caregiving 75

Death of a Caregiver 78

Loss of a Child's Own Health 80

Parental Loss of an Individual at This Age 80

Death of an Infant or Toddler 80

Loss of the Idealized Child 81

Maturational and Other Losses Experienced at This Age 82

Birth and Gradual Loss of Complete Care 82

Starting With Abandonment and Loss / Virginia McIntosh 84

Baby James / Carolyn Faust Piro 89

Nina's Travels Through the Foster Care System / Tara Sinclair 94

Summary 100

4 Elementary-School-Age Children 103

Developmental Stage: Initiative Versus Guilt and Industry Versus Inferiority 104

Biological Development 105

Psychological Development 107

Social Development 109

Loss Experienced by an Individual During the Elementary School Years 110

Age Differences in Perceptions of Loss 110

Loss of a Pet 111

Losses Resulting From Sexual Abuse 112

Loss Caused by Parental Divorce 112

Loss and the Military 113

Intervention Issues With Elementary School Children 114

Loss of an Individual of That Age as Experienced by Others 116

Parents' Loss of a Child 116

The Challenged Child / Carolyn Faust Piro 119

Loss of a Pet in Childhood: The Loss of a Companion / Toni Griffith 121

Summary 126

5 Tweens and Teens 129

Development: Identity Development Versus Identity Diffusion 130

Biological Development 130

Psychosocial Development 133

Losses of Adolescents 137

Teens' Experience of Death (Others' or Their Own) 138

Death of a Sibling 140

Response to the Death of a Teen 142

Parents' Loss of a Tween or Teen 142

Other Losses Experienced by Teens 143

Maturational Losses 143

Childhood Chronic Health Conditions and Sibling Loss: Celebrating Strengths and Acknowledging Difficulty / Melissa H. Bellin 147

Teenagers and Traumatic Grief: Tina's Story / Celeste M. Johnson 152

Loss of Love for an Adolescent: Carolyn's Public and Private Loss / B. Frankie Lamborne 162

Summary 168

6 Young Adulthood 171

Developmental Crisis: Intimacy Versus Isolation 172

Social Development 172

Psychological Development 173

Losses Experienced by Young Adults 174

Chronic Illness 174

Death of a Parent 177

Maturational Losses in Early Adulthood 178

Delaying Decisions About Childbearing 178

Infertility 178

Losses Connected With the Transition to Parenthood 179

Loss of Romantic Relationships 180

Addictions 181

Loss of a Young Adult as Experienced by Others 181

Mental Health Problems and Loss Related to the War in Iraq 181

Death of a Spouse 182

Death of a Nonmarried Opposite-Sex Partner 185

Death of a Gay Partner 185

Death of a Lesbian Partner 186

The Case of a Young Adult Who Has Lost a Parent / Julianne S. Oktay 187

The Losses of Infertility / Barbara Gilin 194

Case of a Young Adult Struggling With Addictions / Theresa M. Agostinelli 204

Summary 208

7 Middle Adulthood 211

Developmental Crisis: Generativity Versus Stagnation 212

Psychological Aspects of Development 212

Biological Aspects of Development 214

Social Aspects of Development 214

Loss Experienced by Midlife Adults 215

Transformation of Identity and "Letting Go of Past Dreams" 215

Immigration as an Example of Transformation of Identity 216

Facing a Chronic or Life-Threatening Illness 217

Death of Parents 219

Death of a Sibling in Adulthood 221

The Loss of the Midlife Adult as Experienced by Others 222

Death of a Spouse 222

Death of a Nonmarried Opposite-Sex Partner 223

Death of a Lesbian Partner 224

Death of a Gay Partner 225

Maturational Losses of Midlife Adults 226

Loss/Transition of Employment 226

Loss Experienced by Parents When Adult Children Are Leaving Home 228

The Loss of the Family Home 229

Off-Time Issues of Parenthood-Fertility Issues Arise Again 230

Illness Doesn't Discriminate: One Story From the Gay and Lesbian Community / Rev. Susan Vollmer 231

Losses of Professional Identity and Career Aspirations / Corey S. Shdaimah 241

Kudu's Story: Changing Lives / Chawezi Mwantembe 246

Summary 250

8 Retirement and Reinvention 253

The Transition to the Third Quarter of Life: Retirement or Reinvention? 254

Losses Experienced by Adults During Retirement and Reinvention 257

Loss and Transformation of Identity 257

Loss of Routine: Search for Balance 260

Loss of or Change in Relationships 261

Changes Within the Marital/Partner Relationship 262

Changes in Relationships With Friends 264

Loss of Financial Resources 265

Loss of or Change in One's Belief System: The Importance of Spiritual Growth 266

Changes in Relationship to One's Community 266

The Process of Change: Coping With the Transition Process 267

Loss of Adult as Experienced by Others 268

Adult Children 268

Parents 269

Case Study on Midlife Career/Life Transition / Susan M. Larson 270

Early Retirement Among Baby Boom Women:

Some Losses and Some Gains / Fontaine H. Fulghum 273

Summary 280

9 Older Adults 281

Developmental Crisis: Integrity Versus Despair 282

Social Changes 283

Psychological Changes 284

Biological Changes 284

Losses Experienced by Older Adults 285

Resilience 285

Developing a Point of View About Death 287

Coping With Chronic/Life-Threatening Illness 289

Death of a Spouse 291

Death of a Nonmarried Opposite-Sex Partner 295

Death of an Adult Child 297

Death of Friends 298

Maturational Losses 299

Loss of Home/Relocation 299

Grandparent Caregivers 300

Hospice as a Resource for Patients and Their Families 302

The Story of Rachael and Hal / Carol Lovett 302

Marital Bereavement in Later Adulthood / Virginia Richardson 309

Olivia's Journey / Michelle Brooks 315

Summary 320

10 Conclusions 323

Maturational Losses as Examples of Disenfranchised Losses 324

Importance of the Dual Process Model of Coping With Bereavement 327

Importance of Continuing Bonds 329

Meaning-Making as a Process of Growth 331

Interventions 334.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 337-365) and index.

ISBN:

9780826127570

0826127576

OCLC:

262509349