Case Study: Adolescent Grief
Compare the anticipatory grief John experienced in the movie “Iris” with the grief from the sudden death experienced by Brenda and her parents. In comparison to Brenda and her parents, John was able to begin grieving the loss of the wife he knew prior to her physically passing. Unlike John, Brenda and her parents had no warning signs. Therefore, the family was not given the opportunity to knowingly say final goodbyes or “I love you” one last time. Although each of the losses were tragic in their own way, there may be additional comfort for those who experience anticipatory grief as compared to those who suffer a sudden death of a loved one. Additionally, there is a certain degree of closure obtained when an imminent …show more content…
Breda’s guilt is evident by her statement of “it is all my fault; I didn’t watch him closely enough”. While, John undoubtedly displayed guilt and worry when he was faced with placing his beloved wife in a nursing home. Recently, research indicates that families of elders in nursing homes often experience depression. Nursing staff may help in reducing feelings of guilt in family members, such as John, by implementing interventions focused on incorporating the patient in the nursing home placement decision (You & Tak, 2014).
What family assessment should be conducted to facilitate their immediate and long-term grief? What referrals might be considered for this family? Family therapy may be very beneficial for this particular family. The family systems approach may be a suitable assessment during the immediate grieving process. The family systems approach may allow the health care provider to assesses changes in the family’s dynamic and the member’s relationship’s with each other following the loss (Lamberti & Detmer, …show more content…
Although Brenda and her parents will share feelings of grief and are each at risk for complicated grief, due to the circumstances of the accident Brenda will likely experience a greater level of guilt. However, due to Brenda’s developmental age she may hide her feelings in comparison to her parents. The healthcare team providing care should explain to Brenda’s parents that she may distance herself because she is uneasy with the death and grieving process (Ball, Bindler & Cowen, 2013). Additionally, according to Herberman Mash, Fullerton and Ursano (2013), sibling loss is particularly traumatizing and upsetting to adolescents. Brenda’s response may also differ from her parent’s due to the basis of her relationship with her brother. Loss of a sibling is distressing to say the least, due in part to the high level of relationship depth that is commonly found between siblings. The grief Brenda may feel is often associated with increased psychological and physical symptoms throughout bereavement (Herberman Mash, Fullerton & Ursano,
Compare the anticipatory grief John experienced in the movie “Iris” with the grief from the sudden death experienced by Brenda and her parents. In comparison to Brenda and her parents, John was able to begin grieving the loss of the wife he knew prior to her physically passing. Unlike John, Brenda and her parents had no warning signs. Therefore, the family was not given the opportunity to knowingly say final goodbyes or “I love you” one last time. Although each of the losses were tragic in their own way, there may be additional comfort for those who experience anticipatory grief as compared to those who suffer a sudden death of a loved one. Additionally, there is a certain degree of closure obtained when an imminent …show more content…
Breda’s guilt is evident by her statement of “it is all my fault; I didn’t watch him closely enough”. While, John undoubtedly displayed guilt and worry when he was faced with placing his beloved wife in a nursing home. Recently, research indicates that families of elders in nursing homes often experience depression. Nursing staff may help in reducing feelings of guilt in family members, such as John, by implementing interventions focused on incorporating the patient in the nursing home placement decision (You & Tak, 2014).
What family assessment should be conducted to facilitate their immediate and long-term grief? What referrals might be considered for this family? Family therapy may be very beneficial for this particular family. The family systems approach may be a suitable assessment during the immediate grieving process. The family systems approach may allow the health care provider to assesses changes in the family’s dynamic and the member’s relationship’s with each other following the loss (Lamberti & Detmer, …show more content…
Although Brenda and her parents will share feelings of grief and are each at risk for complicated grief, due to the circumstances of the accident Brenda will likely experience a greater level of guilt. However, due to Brenda’s developmental age she may hide her feelings in comparison to her parents. The healthcare team providing care should explain to Brenda’s parents that she may distance herself because she is uneasy with the death and grieving process (Ball, Bindler & Cowen, 2013). Additionally, according to Herberman Mash, Fullerton and Ursano (2013), sibling loss is particularly traumatizing and upsetting to adolescents. Brenda’s response may also differ from her parent’s due to the basis of her relationship with her brother. Loss of a sibling is distressing to say the least, due in part to the high level of relationship depth that is commonly found between siblings. The grief Brenda may feel is often associated with increased psychological and physical symptoms throughout bereavement (Herberman Mash, Fullerton & Ursano,