The results showed depressive symptoms did not differ between the non-complicated bereavement group and the unbereaved control group, both groups displayed little to no depressive symptoms. Although the CG showed slightly higher ratings of depressive symptoms, the results showed only mild to moderate depressive symptoms were present on average in the CG group (O’Connor & Arizmendi, 2014). These results demonstrate the participants who were suffering from CG were not suffering from MDD. Results from the Digit Span Backwards subtest and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task did not show any significant differences between the control group or the two bereaved groups (O’Connor & Arizmendi, 2014). This indicates working memory and set shifting were not …show more content…
Despite there results O’Connor and Arizmendi (2014) acknowledged their study must be replicated using a larger sample size to increase the study’s reliability. The authors also suggested an fMRI would be useful to measure what neurological processes are distinctly different in those suffering from CG. Nonetheless, their study and two previous studies have shown attentional biases are present and affect the cognitive functioning in individuals experiencing CG. Attachment-based Model Shear et al. (2007) focused their studies on an attachment-based model of complicated grief with an emphasis on the contribution of avoidance. The attachment-based model assumes the loss of an attachment figure causes an interruption in an individual’s attachment working model. Shear et al. (2007) references Bowlby’s theory of attachment, which stated at a young age a baby develops an attachment bond to their caregiver or loved one. Shear et al. (2007) reported Bowlby theorized, as a child ages the attachment relationship is translated into an internalized working model. This working model provides a secure base, which allows an individual to utilize his/her exploratory system to discover new experiences and attain certain goals (Shear et al., 2007). Shear et al. (2007) postulated the loss of a loved one disrupts this attachment working model which can lead to
Attachment theory has been jointly worked out by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. In presenting this theory, both of them have drawn out ideas from the fields of ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts. However, John Bowlby is the chief contributor who has originated the essential tenets of the theory. Thus, he has revolutionized the thinking of general public regarding the child-mother bond and its interruption due to interference factors like bereavement, deprivation, dispossession, grief and separation (Bretherton, 1992).
Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Bowlby, 1969). Likewise, attachment theory is a psychological model that seeks to illustrate the dynamics of both long term and short- term interpersonal relationships (Waters, E.; Corcoran, D.; Anafarta, M. 2005). Additionally, attachment theory address how people respond within relationships when hurt, separated from loved ones, or when they perceive a threat (Waters et al., 2005). Attachment theory is the combined work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Bretherton, I. 1992, p. 1). The theory predominantly draws on the ideas from doctrines such as, ethology, cybernetics, information processing and developmental psychology (Bretherton, I. 1992, p. 1). It is considered that attachment theory has revolutionized the way society thinks about the relationship between the mother and her child and the importance of
The importance of continuing the bond between the bereaved individual and the deceased is another prominent aspect of current grief theories (Corr & Coolican, 2010). Past theories emphasized letting go of the bereaved individual; however, current theories suggest continuing the bond allows bereaved individuals to learn how to live with the loss of their loved one. Klass et al. (1996) stressed the importance of continuing bonds for parents who have lost a child and allowing parents to continue their relationship with their child past his/her death. This allows the parents to reconstruct their identity and integrate the loss into their lives without severing the relationship they held so close to their heart (Klass, 1996).
Grief and loss are one of the most universal human experiences, though painful, and understandably causes distress. However, approximately 15 % experience a more problematic grieving process with elevated symptoms of depression and/or posttraumatic stress symptoms (Bonanno and Kaltman, 1999).There is no well-established model of the timeline for resolution of grief and the variance of its expression is wide. Many persons cope with the emotional pain of bereavement without any formal intervention. However, individuals who have experienced traumatic bereavement, such as deaths that are sudden, violent, or due to human actions (Green 2000), may face particular challenges. Researchers have tried to define a model for the treatment of traumatic bereavement that fully supports not only the client, but also those working with the clients around their trauma
When a traumatic brain injury happens to the frontal “zone”, it is striking the brain’s largest lobe. The frontal lobe is anterior to the left and right cerebral hemispheres, this lobe is in charge for conscious thinking, voluntary responses, and personality traits. When someone is trying to find the right word or phrase to say, it is this part of the brain he or she may rely on. Destruction to this crucial lobe can create destruction to a person’s brilliance, attention span, and organizational efficiency, as well as the failure of
Attachment theory was originally proposed by Bowlby (1969) as an explanation of interpersonal relationships, with particular focus in his work on the parent-child relationships which are formed in early childhood. He noted that this was an evolutionary need within us as humans to form close attachments to improve our rate of survival (Bowlby, 1969). He later also theorized that these attachment styles would persist throughout life into adulthood (Bowlby, 1988). Further work on attachment theory by Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991) expanded on attachment styles and looked at the continuation of attachment style into adulthood. Using interviews with participants and the participants close friends they found evidence for four types of adult attachment styles: Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissing and Fearful (Bartholomew & Horowitz 1991). Further support for adult attachments styles is from Mikulincer & Shaver (2004) showing that attachments styles persist from childhood into adulthood demonstrating bowlby 's later hypothesis
To review the methodology in relation to the study, a substantially precise battery of neuropsychological tasks was used to compile the data for this article. The list of neuropsychological tasks was inclusive of the following assessments:
The symptoms of normal and complicated grief lie on a continuum and mostly differ in intensity (Horowitz et al., 1993, as cited by Lichtenthal et al., 2004). However, other criteria can be used to differentiate between the symptoms, such as duration, intensity, differential symptoms and disruption of function (Stroebe et al., 2000, as cited by Lichtenthal et al., 2004). It is then stated that CG is referred to as ‘complicated’ as the disorder is uncertain and impact negatively on daily life (Prigerson et al., 1995, as cited by Lichtenthal et al., 2004). The review then describes the criteria of which potential symptoms of CG were to be assessed, in the initial stages. This included: grief symptoms must persist for over 2 months, be triggered by the death of a significant other, related to extended functional impairment and experienced by the top 20% of the
In order for a continuous bond to arise there must be an existing attachment prior to the individual’s death. John Bowlby (1969, cited in Field, et al., 2005) created the attachment theory which was able to demonstrate that a child develops an attachment with their primary caregiver i.e. mother. Bowlby (1969) founded that children experienced distress when they were separated from their primary caregiver which showed that physical proximity was a prominent factor in the child’s sense of security. According to Field, et al., (2005) attachment bonds between adults are seen to be different from child-parent bonds, in that physical proximity was less of importance. However the ability to respond to emotional needs was a higher factor in adult bonds because both individuals could act as an attachment figure to each other. Drawing upon this theory, if an individual died within a relationship, the
As important as it is for Gary to experience and work through the emotions associated with Chris’s death, I do not believe that this alone will be enough to help him work through his grief. Matthews and Marwit (2004) suggest that complicated grief is a pattern of non-normative behavior triggered by the loss of a loved one. The authors argue that complicated grief may resemble depression while often also including symptoms relating to separation distress and traumatic distress, illustrated by Gary’s feelings of loneliness and rumination over his relationship with Chris in addition to his anger, guilt, and social isolation. This article describes how, traditionally, it was thought that a bereaved person needed to go through “grief work” by confronting and processing emotions associated with the loss of a loved one. However, this confrontation of emotion may not be enough and recovery may also require addressing the cognitions of the bereaved person. In addition, the authors of this study suggest a dual-process model in which the bereaved person oscillates between confronting various types of stressors, then taking a break from those stressors. By utilizing EFT, Gary will essentially be doing grief work by experiencing the emotions associated with loss. Experiencing his feeling of guilt may trigger cognitions such
Humans are complicated and so are our relationships. Attachment theory is a psychological modal used to guide clinical interventions to understand the long-term effects of interpersonal human relationships. However, this theory is not about relationships in general but is about human relations and the support seeking behavior in response to emotional trauma or threats (Vrtička & Vuilleumier,
However the client the loss of significance surrounded her was evident throughout childhood, she experiences lack of friendship because she did not want to associate anyone because of her grieves .However the need for counselling was ignored due to her religious affiliation. The client the loss seems difficult to accept, as she was willing to try understand and acknowledge her needs and try to cope with her loss that was trigger attachment bond. From this perspective from the client the bond that she share with her mother would be difficult to counsel without an understanding of the theory of attachment. Bowlby’s attachment theory (1973, 1988) has stress the important implications for counseling and psychotherapy reference.
Grief is the act following the loss of a loved one. While grief and bereavement are normal occurrences, the grief process is a social construct of how someone should behave. The acceptable ways that people grieve change because of this construct. For a time it was not acceptable to grieve; today, however, it is seen as a necessary way to move on from death (Scheid, 2011).The grief process has been described as a multistage event, with each stage lasting for a suggested amount of time to be considered “normal” and reach resolution. The beginning stage of grief is the immediate shock, disbelief, and denial lasting from hours to weeks (Wambach, 1985). The middle stage is the acute mourning phase that can include somatic and emotional turmoil. This stage includes acknowledging the event and processing it on various levels, both mentally and physically. The final stage is a period of
An individual’s attachment style is conceived as a personality trait which is stable across the individual’s life span. Attachment is seen as a categorical model where individuals are either securely, avoidant or anxiously attached to others. Several studies have indicated how individuals treat attachment-related thoughts is related to their attachment style and governs how they cope with and express the loss of a loved one. When compared with secure and anxious attached adults, avoidant attachment style adults are less concerned with attachment to others. Anxious attachment style adults are worried about loss and will be hyper vigilant to relationship distress.
This essay explores several models and theories that discuss the complexities of loss and grief. A discussion of the tasks, reactions and understanding of grief through the different stages from infants to the elderly, will also be attempted.