Grief and the Grieving Process
Grief and the grieving process
Grief is a normal yet complex phenomenon, which has been broadly explained through the Descriptive and Process theories. The former depict the phenomenology of the grief process in a basic and descriptive way, but lack an explanation as to why or how grief responses occur. The latter, provides a model for the psychological mechanisms underlying grief and investigates the purposes behind these mechanisms (Barbato & Irwin, 1992). This paper refers mostly to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory a specific Process theory, which considers the reasoning behind grief in response to death and major losses and the various factors that impact on the intensity of the response that is experienced.
Bowlby's Attachment Theory
The meaning of attachment furthers our ability to comprehend grief. Throughout human development, continual attachments to others are formed. According to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, attachments develop from needs for security and safety which are acquired through life, and are usually directed towards a few specific individuals (Worden, 1991). The goal of attachment behaviour is to form and maintain affectionate bonds, throughout childhood and adulthood.
Bowlby proposed that grief responses are biologically general responses to separation and loss. Throughout the course of evolution instinct develops around the premise that attachment losses are retrievable. Similarly, behavioural responses making up the grieving process are pro-survival mechanisms geared towards restoring the lost bonds (Worden, 1991).
Dimensions of Grief The process of grief is multifaceted, with bereaved individuals experiencing major physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Barbato and Irwin (1992) suggested that grief is a state in which the bereaved person has lost someone or something of personal value. When faced with this loss, the most powerful forms of attachment behaviour are activated in an attempt to reinstate the relationship. Worden
Grief is a normal yet complex phenomenon, which has been broadly explained through the Descriptive and Process theories. The former depict the phenomenology of the grief process in a basic and descriptive way, but lack an explanation as to why or how grief responses occur. The latter, provides a model for the psychological mechanisms underlying grief and investigates the purposes behind these mechanisms (Barbato & Irwin, 1992). This paper refers mostly to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory a specific Process theory, which considers the reasoning behind grief in response to death and major losses and the various factors that impact on the intensity of the response that is experienced.
Bowlby's Attachment Theory
The meaning of attachment furthers our ability to comprehend grief. Throughout human development, continual attachments to others are formed. According to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, attachments develop from needs for security and safety which are acquired through life, and are usually directed towards a few specific individuals (Worden, 1991). The goal of attachment behaviour is to form and maintain affectionate bonds, throughout childhood and adulthood.
Bowlby proposed that grief responses are biologically general responses to separation and loss. Throughout the course of evolution instinct develops around the premise that attachment losses are retrievable. Similarly, behavioural responses making up the grieving process are pro-survival mechanisms geared towards restoring the lost bonds (Worden, 1991).
Dimensions of Grief The process of grief is multifaceted, with bereaved individuals experiencing major physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Barbato and Irwin (1992) suggested that grief is a state in which the bereaved person has lost someone or something of personal value. When faced with this loss, the most powerful forms of attachment behaviour are activated in an attempt to reinstate the relationship. Worden