five stages of grief.docx

8/14/2019 five stages of grief.docx

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Corr & Corr, Death & Dying, Life & Living, 7th edition

PART THREE: DYING

Dying persons areliving human beings

Dying is a special

situation in living, notthe whole of life

Death is theoutcome of dying,

not its equivalent

What is involved indying?

How does someone

cope with dying?

How can we helppersons who are copingwith dying?

How has our societyresponded to the needs

of dying persons?

Core Concepts Key Questions


Coping with Dying


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Coping

A definition:Constantly changing

cognitive andbehavioral efforts tomanage specific

external and/orinternal demands thatare appraised astaxing or exceedingthe resources of the

person.

(Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)


3 Categories of Coping Skills

1. Appraisal-focused Coping How do I understand or make sense of the

situation?2. Problem-focused Coping

What will I do about the situation?

3. Reaction-focused Coping (Emotion-focused Coping)

What will I do about my reactions to thesituation?


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can become locked in this stage when dealingwith a traumatic change that can be ignored.Death of course is not particularly easy to avoidor evade indefinitely.

2 - Anger

Anger can manifest in different ways. Peopledealing with emotional upset can be angry withthemselves, and/or with others, especially thoseclose to them. Knowing this helps keep detachedand non-judgemental when experiencing theanger of someone who is very upset.

3 - Bargaining

Traditionally the bargaining stage for peoplefacing death can involve attempting to bargainwith whatever God the person believes in. Peoplefacing less serious trauma can bargain or seek to

negotiate a compromise. For example "Can westill be friends?.." when facing a break-up.Bargaining rarely provides a sustainable solution,especially if it's a matter of life or death.

4 - Depression

Also referred to as preparatory grieving. In a wayit's the dress rehearsal or the practice run for the'aftermath' although this stage means differentthings depending on whom it involves. It's a sortof acceptance with emotional attachment. It'snatural to feel sadness and regret, fear,

uncertainty, etc. It shows that the person has atleast begun to accept the reality.

5 - Acceptance

Again this stage definitely varies according to theperson's situation, although broadly it is anindication that there is some emotionaldetachment and objectivity. People dying canenter this stage a long time before the peoplethey leave behind, who must necessarily passthrough their own individual stages of dealingwith the grief.

(Based on the Grief Cycle model first published in On Death & Dying, Elisabeth Kbler-Ross, 1969. Interpretation by Alan Chapman 2006-2009.)


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Kbler-Ross Stage Model

Existence of these stages has not been demonstrated

No evidence has been presented that people actuallydo move from stage 1 through stage 5

Limitations of the method have not beenacknowledged

The line is blurred between description & prescription

The totality of the persons life is neglected

The resources, pressures, & characteristics of theimmediate environment are not taken into account.

The model suggests that ways in which all human

persons respond to the stress of dying are independent

of any social or cultural influence.

Critique


Three Lessons to Learnfrom the Legacy of

Elisabeth Kbler-Ross1. Individuals who are coping with dying arestill alive

& often have unfinished business that they want& need to address

2. We cannot be effective providers of care unlesswe listen actively to those we seek to serve &identify with them their own tasks & needs

3. We need to learn from those who are coping withdying in order to come to know ourselves better

five stages of grief.docx

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