Grief and loss across the lifespan : a biopsychosocial perspective

370 Pages·2016·2.01 MB·English

by  Judith L. M. McCoyd

Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan
Judith L. M. McCoyd, PhD, LCSW, QCSW, is an Associate Professor at Rutgers
University—School of Social Work, teaching in the Advanced Clinical curriculum and
working with both the PhD in Social Work and DSW doctoral programs. She worked
in perinatal, emergency room, and oncology settings during her active practice life
before academia and continues to maintain a small private practice with perinatal
and end-of-life care as specialties. She is coauthor of Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan:
A Biopsychosocial Perspective (2009) and coeditor (with Toba S. Kerson) of Social
Work in Health Settings: Practice in Context (3rd ed.—2010). She presents at national
and international conferences such as Council on Social Work Education, National
Association of Perinatal Social Work, and the Interdisciplinary Conference of Social
Sciences, and publishes in journals about perinatal decision making, technology and
health care, societal aspects of bereavement, and social work education. Her research
agenda involves exploration of the ways perinatal technologies impact the experience
of child-bearing and bereavement when perinatal loss occurs.
Carolyn Ambler Walter, PhD, LCSW, is a Professor Emerita at the Center for Social
Work Education at Widener University, Chester, PA. In addition to teaching part
time at Widener, she has served as a mentor and instructor in the DSW program at
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice and maintains a
private clinical social work practice. Dr. Walter is the coauthor of Grief and Loss Across
the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (2009) and the author of The Loss of a Life
Partner: Narratives of the Bereaved (2003). She is the coauthor of Breast Cancer in the Life
Course: Women’s Experiences and the author of The Timing of Motherhood. Dr. Walter has
published many articles in professional journals on such topics as women’s issues,
grief, and social work education. Dr. Walter has also given professional presentations
at state and regional hospice conferences throughout the United States, at Association
for Death Education and Counseling, National Association of Social Workers, and
Council on Social Work Education national conferences.
Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan
A Biopsychosocial Perspective
Second Edition
Judith L. M. McCoyd, PhD, LCSW, QCSW
Carolyn Ambler Walter, PhD, LCSW
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Walter, Carolyn Ambler, author.
Grief and loss across the lifespan : a biopsychosocial perspective / Judith L.M. McCoyd, Carolyn
Ambler Walter. — Second edition.
p. ; cm.
Carolyn Ambler Walter’s name appears first in the previous edition.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8261-2028-1 — ISBN 978-0-8261-2029-8 (e-book)
I. McCoyd, Judith L. M., author. II. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Grief. 2. Adaptation, Psychological. 3. Attitude to Death. 4. Counseling—methods.
5. Human Development. 6. Social Support. BF 575.G7]
BF575.G7
155.9'37—dc23
2015014933
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This text is dedicated to:
Ryan Patrick McCoyd and Ian Walter McCoyd, my sons who have navigated
losses resiliently and who fill my life with meaning and joy.
—Judie McCoyd
The family of Carolyn Walter: Bruce Bryen, Carolyn’s husband, who has
supported her in all of her efforts to complete this second edition, Kim Remley,
Brian Walter and her grandchildren, Matthew, Connor, and Hazel, who have
brought her incredible joy during midlife and now older adulthood.
—Carolyn Walter

Contents
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Share Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective
1. Introduction 1
Text Structure 2
Objectives 3
Biopsychosocial Aspects of Grief 3
Biological Effects of Grief 3
Psychological Effects of Grief 6
Social Aspects of Grief 7
Introduction to Grief Theory 8
Classical Grief Theory 8
Task-Based Theories 8
Stage-Based Theories 11
The Transition to Postmodern Grief Theory 16
Dual Process Model 17
Meaning-Making and Grief 19
Continuing Bonds and Grief 20
Disenfranchised Grief 21
Ambiguous and Nonfinite (or Chronic) Grief 22
Issues of Intervention 23
Therapist Activity in Intervening With Grief 23
Mindfulness as an Intervention for Grief 24
A Final Word About Grief Work 25
Discussion Questions 26
2. Perinatal Attachment and Loss 27
Objectives 27
Developmental Aspects of Pregnancy 28
Biological Developmental Context of Pregnancy 28
Psychological Aspects of Pregnancy 30
Social Aspects of Pregnancy 32
Summary of Development in the Prenatal Period 33
Loss as Experienced by a Fetus 34
Loss of a Fetus as Experienced by Significant Others 35
Biological Changes Associated With Intrauterine Fetal Death 35
Psychological Aspects of IUFD 36
Social Aspects of IUFD 39
Other Types of Perinatal Loss 41
Infertility 42
Assisted Reproductive Technologies 42
Medically Complicated Pregnancies and Loss 43
vviiii
viii Contents
Prenatal Diagnosis and Termination for
Fetal Anomaly (TFA) 43
Delivery of a Premature or Medically Compromised Neonate 44
Intervention 45
Readings 47
Disenfranchised Grief Following Negative Childbirth
Experiences 47
Rumyana Kudeva
My Septuplets 51
Elizabeth
Summary 56
Discussion Questions 57
3. Infancy, Toddlerhood, and Preschool 59
Objectives 59
Developmental Stage: Trust Versus Mistrust and Autonomy
Versus Shame 60
Biological Development 60
Psychological Development 61
Social Development 62
Losses Experienced in Infancy and Early Childhood 63
Death of a Caregiver 64
Nondeath Losses 66
Loss of Caregiving 66
Loss of a Child’s Own Health 67
Loss of an Individual at This Age by Parents 68
Death of an Infant, Toddler, or Preschooler 68
Loss of the Idealized Child 68
Typical and Maturational Losses Experienced at
This Age 69
Birth and Gradual Loss of Complete Care 69
Birth of a Sibling 70
Readings 70
First Time Dads 70
Geoffrey L. Greif
Maternal Depression and Early Infant Development: Risks for
Relational Deprivation and Loss 74
Janet Shapiro
A Case of Perinatal Stroke: Examining Multiple Layers of Loss 78
Jennifer Boiler
Summary 82
Discussion Questions 82
4. Elementary School–Aged Children 83
Objectives 83
Developmental Stage: Initiative Versus Guilt and
Industry Versus Inferiority 83
Biological Development 84
Psychological Development 86
Social Development 87
Loss Experienced by an Individual During the Elementary School
Years 88
Contents ix
Impacts and Perceptions of Loss for Elementary School-Aged
Children 88
Death Losses 89
Death of a Parent 89
Death of a Sibling 90
Death of a Pet 91
Nondeath Losses 91
Losses Due to Sexual Abuse 91
Typical and Maturational Losses 92
Loss Due to Parental Divorce 92
Loss and the Military 93
Loss of Being a Child 94
Intervention Issues With Elementary School Children 94
Loss of an Individual of Elementary School Age as Experienced by
Others 96
Parents’ Loss of a Child 96
Forgotten Mourners—The Grandparents 99
Losses (Nondeath) Related to Child Protective Services 99
Readings 100
A Small Miracle: Perinatal HIV Transmission 100
Deborah Calvert
Not an American Movie 103
Huong Nguyen and Deborah Falk
Summary 108
Discussion Questions 109
5. Tweens and Teens 111
Objectives 111
Development: Identity Development Versus Identity Diffusion 112
Biological Development 112
Psychosocial Development 114
Losses Experienced by the Adolescent 116
Death Losses 116
Death of a Parent 117
Death of a Sibling 118
Death of a Grandparent 119
Death of a Friend 120
Nondeath Losses 121
Loss of Self-Esteem/Identity 121
Loss of a Relationship 121
Loss of Health 122
Interventions With Tweens and Teens 122
Response to the Death of an Adolescent 123
Parents’ Loss of a Tween or Teen 123
Grandparents’ Grief After Adolescent’s Death 124
Typical and Maturational Losses 125
Higher Expectations for Responsibility and Independence 125
Aspects of Identity Change 125
Readings 127
A Girl Unlike Other Girls 127
Katharine Baratz Dalke