One of the most difficult events an individual can experience is the death of a loved one— especially an immediate family member. Though this loss, and the grief that follows, have been inevitable and immutable parts of the human experience since the beginning, ideas about the process of bereavement are far from uniform and universal. There have been several theories on what the grieving process entails. Many have suggested that bereaved individuals must move through a series of steps or stages to recover from loss. The ways someone can openly mourn might vary, but the internal states and phases an individual went through were thought to be common to all. Some psychologists found that there were “shortcomings in traditional theorizing about
…show more content…
It is not easy for anyone, but resilient individuals and the resilient families they make up navigate the dual-process of coping with loss successfully. Following a loss, more resilient individuals are able to achieve “identity continuity” (Bonanno, Papa, & O 'neill, 2001). They don’t lose who they are and are able to maintain or seek out a life purpose in the face of this tragedy. Personal characteristics play a role in this. An individual 's temperament and personality determines how they react to loss and express grief. Social support outside of the immediate family and community resources or opportunities are also going to have a big influence on how family members come through a loss. The love and support of friends and resources within the community like church or support groups can be there for people as they deal with various loss-oriented stressors. People outside of the situation can provide some stability and may be able to better recognize and intervene in cases where the negative emotions of grief are overwhelming or aren’t be dealt with in healthy ways. A community often rallies around a family that they know has recently had a death in the family and works to ease some of the restoration-oriented stressors. They may raise money, make meals, or assist with the children as the family works to get back to a stable state. In the end, there can be ups and downs for the whole family and each member in it as everyone oscillates between different phases of grief and restoration, but, with the help of each other and the community, most manage to stay together and
It is not easy for anyone, but resilient individuals and the resilient families they make up navigate the dual-process of coping with loss successfully. Following a loss, more resilient individuals are able to achieve “identity continuity” (Bonanno, Papa, & O 'neill, 2001). They don’t lose who they are and are able to maintain or seek out a life purpose in the face of this tragedy. Personal characteristics play a role in this. An individual 's temperament and personality determines how they react to loss and express grief. Social support outside of the immediate family and community resources or opportunities are also going to have a big influence on how family members come through a loss. The love and support of friends and resources within the community like church or support groups can be there for people as they deal with various loss-oriented stressors. People outside of the situation can provide some stability and may be able to better recognize and intervene in cases where the negative emotions of grief are overwhelming or aren’t be dealt with in healthy ways. A community often rallies around a family that they know has recently had a death in the family and works to ease some of the restoration-oriented stressors. They may raise money, make meals, or assist with the children as the family works to get back to a stable state. In the end, there can be ups and downs for the whole family and each member in it as everyone oscillates between different phases of grief and restoration, but, with the help of each other and the community, most manage to stay together and