Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

392 Pages·2009·1.11 MB·English

by  PhD Carolyn Ambler Walter PhD LCSW

Grief and Loss Across
the Lifespan
A Biopsychosocial
Perspective
Carolyn Ambler Walter, PhD, LCSW, is a professor at the Center for Social Work
Education at Widener University, Chester, PA. Dr. Walter received her MSS and
her PhD from Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social
Research,andherBAfromJuniataCollege.Dr.Walterhas40yearsofexperience
in the field of social work, as a practitioner, teacher, and author. She has had
professionalinterestsingrief,loss,andbereavementforover20years.AtWidener,
Dr.WalterwaselectedasamemberofTheHonorSocietyofPhiKappaPhi,was
awardedtheFacultyAwardforExcellenceinTeaching,CollegeofArtsandSciences
(1992–1993),andtheServiceAwardforContributionsinShapingtheCenterfor
Social Work Education (1997).
In addition to teaching, Dr. Walter maintains a private clinical social work
practice,specializingingriefandlossissuesandwomen’shealthissues.Dr.Walter
is the author of The Loss of a Life Partner: Narratives of the Bereaved (2003). She
is the co-author of Breast Cancer in the Life Course: Women’s Experiences (1991,
Springer Publishing Company) and is the author of The Timing of Motherhood
(1986).Dr.Walterhaspublishedmanyarticlesinprofessionaljournalsontopics
such as women’s issues, grief, and social work education. Dr. Walter has served
as an invited speaker at state and regional hospice conferences throughout the
United States. She has also presented at international and national conferences,
includingADEC(AssociationforDeathEducationandCounseling),NASW(Na-
tionalAssociationofSocialWorkers),andCSWE(CouncilonSocialWorkEduca-
tion). Comments can be addressed to the co-author at [email protected] or
at her Web site—www.drcarolynwalter.com.
JudithL.M.McCoyd,PhD,LCSW,QCSW,isAssistantProfessoratRutgersUniversity,
School of Social Work. She graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor’s of
Science(IndividualizedStudy)inBiology–SocialWelfare–Psychologyin1983.She
graduated from Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work in 1985
(Health/MentalHealth)andwentontoworkinobstetricalandoncologicalhealth
caresettings.Shehas beenanactivememberofboth theNationalAssociationof
PerinatalSocialWorkersandthePerinatalSocialWorkNetworkinPhiladelphia.
She was certified by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work Institute
after their 3-year post-Master’s training in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
In2003,sheearnedherdoctoratefromBrynMawrCollege,GraduateSchool
ofSocialWorkandSocialResearch,andhastaughtresearchandpracticecourses
there. Her research interests include bereavement, perinatal health care, and the
ways medical technology affects decision making and grief. Her dissertation re-
search was supported by an American Dissertation Grant from the American
AssociationofUniversityWomenandexploredthebereavementprocessofwomen
who terminated desired pregnancies after the discovery of a fetal anomaly. She
haspresentedextensivelyonissuesofreproductivehealthandbereavement(aswell
asqualitativeresearch),bothnationallyandinternationally.AtRutgersUniversity,
School of Social Work, she developed a class to explore loss over the course of
the lifespan in addition to the typical death-and-dying focus, supported by the
(then) new Dean of Social Work, Richard Edwards. Dr. McCoyd also maintains
a private practice.
Grief and Loss Across
the Lifespan
A Biopsychosocial Perspective
CAROLYN AMBLER WALTER, PhD, LCSW
JUDITH L. M. McCOYD, PhD, LCSW, QCSW
New York
Copyright © 2009 Springer Publishing Company, LLC
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Composition: International Graphic Services
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-8261-2758-7
09 10 11 12 13 / 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Walter, Carolyn Ambler.
Grief and loss across the lifespan : a biopsychosocial perspective / Carolyn
Ambler Walter, Judith L.M. McCoyd.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8261-2757-0 (alk. paper)
1. Bereavement—Psychological aspects. 2. Death—Psychological aspects.
3. Loss (Psychology). 4. Grief. I. McCoyd, Judith L. M. II. Title.
BF575.G7W3434 2009
155.9'3—dc22
2009001211
Printed in the United States of America by Bang Printing
The author and the publisher of this Work have made every effort to use
sources believed to be reliable to provide information that is accurate and
compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication.
Theauthorandpublishershallnotbeliableforanyspecial,consequential,or
exemplarydamagesresulting,inwholeorinpart,fromthereaders’useof,or
reliance on, the information contained in this book. The publisher has no
responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-
partyInternetWebsitesreferredtointhispublicationanddoesnotguarantee
thatanycontentonsuchWebsitesis,orwillremain,accurateorappropriate.
This text is dedicated to:
The family of Carolyn Walter: Bruce Bryen, Carolyn’s husband, who
hassupportedherinallofhereffortstocompletethiswork;Carolyn’s
children,KimRemleyandBrianWalter;andhergrandchildren,Mat-
thew and Connor, who have brought incredible joy to her during
midlife.
Deceased loved ones of Judie McCoyd: Miriam Mentzer, Judith L.
Achuff, Mary and Walter McCoyd, Eunice and Ben Maurer, and
Doug Moyer.
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xvii
1 Introduction 1
Text Structure 2
Introduction to Grief Theory 3
Classical Grief Theory: Task-Based Theories 4
Classical Grief Theory: Stage-Based Theories 7
The Transition to Postmodern Grief Theory 13
Meaning-Making and Grief 14
Dual Process Theory 16
Continuing Bonds and Grief 17
Disenfranchised Grief 18
Ambiguous Loss 19
Biological Effects of Grief 20
Issues of Intervention 23
A Final Word About Grief Work 25
2 Perinatal Attachment and Loss 27
Developmental Aspects of Pregnancy 28
Biological Developmental Context of Pregnancy 29
Psychological Aspects of Pregnancy 30
Social Aspects of Pregnancy 33
Summary of Development in the Prenatal Period 35
Loss as Experienced by a Fetus 36
Loss of a Fetus as Experienced by Significant Others 37
Infertility 37
Reproductive Health Conditions 38
Biological Changes Associated With Intrauterine Fetal Death 39
vii
viii Contents
Psychological Aspects of IUFD 41
Social Aspects of IUFD 46
Readings
Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Medical Complication of Pregnancy 49
Shari Munch
Heartbreaking Choices and Losses of Potential 58
Anonymous
Summary 66
3 Infancy and Toddlerhood 69
Developmental Stage: Trust Versus Mistrust and Autonomy Versus
Shame 70
Biological Development 71
Psychological Development 72
Social Development 74
Losses Experienced in Infancy and Early Childhood 75
Loss of Caregiving 75
Death of a Caregiver 78
Loss of a Child’s Own Health 80
Parental Loss of an Individual at This Age 80
Death of an Infant or Toddler 80
Loss of the Idealized Child 81
Maturational and Other Losses Experienced at This Age 82
Birth and Gradual Loss of Complete Care 82
Readings
Starting With Abandonment and Loss 84
Virginia McIntosh
Baby James 89
Carolyn Faust Piro
Nina’s Travels Through the Foster Care System 94
Tara Sinclair
Summary 100
4 Elementary-School-Age Children 103
Developmental Stage: Initiative Versus Guilt
and Industry Versus Inferiority 104
Biological Development 105
Psychological Development 107
Social Development 109
Contents ix
Loss Experienced by an Individual During the Elementary School
Years 110
Age Differences in Perceptions of Loss 110
Loss of a Pet 111
Losses Resulting From Sexual Abuse 112
Loss Caused by Parental Divorce 112
Loss and the Military 113
Intervention Issues With Elementary School Children 114
Loss of an Individual of That Age as Experienced by Others 116
Parents’ Loss of a Child 116
Readings
The Challenged Child 119
Carolyn Faust Piro
Loss of a Pet in Childhood: The Loss of a Companion 121
Toni Griffith
Summary 126
5 Tweens and Teens 129
Development: Identity Development Versus Identity Diffusion 130
Biological Development 130
Psychosocial Development 133
Losses of Adolescents 137
Teens’ Experience of Death (Others’ or Their Own) 138
Death of a Sibling 140
Response to the Death of a Teen 142
Parents’ Loss of a Tween or Teen 142
Other Losses Experienced by Teens 143
Maturational Losses 143
Readings
Childhood Chronic Health Conditions and Sibling Loss: Celebrating
Strengths and Acknowledging Difficulty 147
Melissa H. Bellin
Teenagers and Traumatic Grief: Tina’s Story 152
Celeste M. Johnson
LossofLoveforanAdolescent:Carolyn’sPublicandPrivateLoss 162
B. Frankie Lamborne
Summary 168