psy 311: death and dying death and dying l biological l psychological l social l developmental

Psy 311: Death and Dying

DEATH AND DYING

Biological Psychological Social Developmental


What Causes Aging?

What Causes Death?


What Causes Aging?

1. Programmed theories– Genes

2. Damage theories– Wear and tear


What Causes Aging?

PROGRAMMED Theoriesgeneticpre-programmed inevitableuniversal


What Causes Death?

1. Programmed theories of aging genes turn on & off premature aging endocrine or immune systems directs

program


Maximum life span

Maximum number of years any member of a species has lived–110 to 120 years (for humans)


What Causes Aging?

DAMAGE theories of agingwear & teardiseasedisuse


What Causes Death (cont)?2. Damage theories Repair lags behind damage As you age--

– damage more easily– repair more slowly

Evidence– Physical: diet, exercise, substance abuse– Psychological: stress, activity, outlook


DEATH AND DYING

Life expectancy average number of years a newborn can be expected to live

76.5 years (US Census Bureau, 2000)


Society and Death

Historical changes in death1900-average life expectancy= 49 yrs.

half of children died, two wives


DEATH AND DYING–Caucasian African-American

Males 74.9 68

Females 79.9 75

(US Census Bureau, 2000)


Factors which affect life expectancy:

nutrition medical care poverty sanitation child birth procedures public health


What Causes Aging?What Causes Death?

Aging and Death are processes. Genetics Environment Own activity Biological, psychological, social INTERACTIONS over TIME


Process of Dying

Process of Bereavement


Cultural Differences in the Process of Dying

Meaning of death Process of dying

–where?–with whom?–how?


PROCESS OF DYING

Aging & Death: future & past Shift to “years left” Reminisce- satisfied with life Fear decreases as grow older Elderly: comfort in loved ones &

achievements


PROCESS OF DYING (cont.)The Experience of Dying 1. Denial and isolation 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance


PROCESS OF DYING (cont.)Critique and Alternatives 1. Not stages 2. Depends on illness process 3. Individual and social influences


Cultural Differences in BEREAVEMENT

1. Expressions of grief 2. Duration of mourning 3. Continuing relationship with the

dead


Bereavement

Experience of grieving 1. Shock & numbness 2. Yearning 3. Depression 4. Reorganization (yearly cycle)


Bereavement

CHALLENGES to the

GRIEF WORK Perspective 1. Confront loss 2. Deal with emotion 3. Detach from person


BEREAVEMENT (cont.)Critique and Alternatives 1. Not stages 2. Depends on loss process 3. Individual and social influences


BEREAVEMENT (cont.)Depends on Loss Process 1. Relationship

– Parent, spouse, child, friend– Closeness, dependency

2. Cause of death– On time vs. off-time– Preventable, meaningful

3. Supports and stressors


Social SupportHelping People who are Dying or

Grieving 1. Not easy 2. Remain engaged 3. Respect individuality 4. Take some of the load 5. Patience Hospice care or Professional help


ChildrenDying and Bereavement

Experiences shaped by:

1. Developmental level and tasks.

2. Conception of death.

3. Cultural context.

4. Specific experiences.

Parental and social support.


PRESCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

1. Aware of dying. 2. Show distress indirectly. 3. Few coping strategies (escape). 4. Developmental tasks/ issues:

– Attachment/ Abandonment.

– Self-regulation/ Opposition.


SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

1. Can talk about it more directly.

2. Express distress more directly.

3. Pragmatic coping strategies.

4. Developmental Tasks/ Issues:– Peer relationships/ Rejection.

– Social comparison/ Competencies.


ADOLESCENT CHILDREN

1. Understand all the implications.

2. Distress over lost possibilities.

3. Many coping strategies.

4. Developmental tasks/ issues:– Body image/ Appearance.

– Identity/ Future lost.

– Autonomy/ Dependence on parents.


Children and Bereavement

Understanding of death is consistent with cognitive level.


MATURE CONCEPTION

DEATH IS:– Final

– Irreversible

– Universal

– Caused by internal processes


INFANTS

No concept of death. Temporary grief from separation. Long-term effects depend on

replacement.


PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Full-blown attachment Few coping strategies Biggest negative long-term effects


PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Conception of Death Dead retain life functions Death is reversible


SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

Conception of Death Cessation of life Irreversible Universal Not understand causality of death


ADOLESCENCE

Mature conception of death


LAST NAME, first name 1. According to theories of

PROGRAMMED aging, what causes aging and death?

2. According to DAMAGE theories of aging, what causes aging and death?

3. Name 3 factors that influence how children experience dying and bereavement.


END

psy 311: death and dying death and dying l biological l psychological l social l developmental

Documents

aging death

process of dying

meaning of death

death cont

tear slide

program slide

outlook slide

time slide