Death Studies 

About: Death Studies is an academic journal published by Taylor & Francis. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Grief & Poison control. It has an ISSN identifier of 0748-1187. Over the lifetime, 2389 publications have been published receiving 60841 citations.

The dual process model of coping with bereavement: rationale and description

Abstract: There are shortcomings in traditional theorizing about effective ways of coping with bereavement, most notably , with respect to the so - called "grief work hypothesis . " Criticisms include imprecise definition , failure to represent dynamic processing that is characteristic of grieving , lack of empirical evidence and validation across cultures and historical periods , and a limited focus on intrapersonal processes and on health outcomes . Therefore , a revised model of coping with bereavement , the dual process model , is proposed . This model identifies two types of stressors , loss - and restoration - oriented , and a dynamic , regulatory coping process of oscillation , whereby the grieving individual at times confronts , at other times avoids , the different tasks of grieving . This model proposes that adaptive coping is composed of confrontation avoidance of loss and restoration stressors . It also argues the need for dosage of grieving , that is , the need to take respite from dealing with either ...

Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: A brief mental health screener for COVID-19 related anxiety.

Abstract: Mental health concerns of people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic have not been adequately addressed. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the properties of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), which is a brief mental health screener to identify probable cases of dysfunctional anxiety associated with the COVID-19 crisis. This 5-item scale, which was based on 775 adults with anxiety over the coronavirus, demonstrated solid reliability and validity. Elevated CAS scores were found to be associated with coronavirus diagnosis, impairment, alcohol/drug coping, negative religious coping, extreme hopelessness, suicidal ideation, as well as attitudes toward President Trump and Chinese products. The CAS discriminates well between persons with and without dysfunctional anxiety using an optimized cut score of ≥ 9 (90% sensitivity and 85% specificity). These results support the CAS as an efficient and valid tool for clinical research and practice.

Searching for the meaning of meaning: grief therapy and the process of reconstruction

Abstract: A comprehensive quantitative review of published randomized controlled outcome studies of grief counseling and therapy suggests that such interventions are typically ineffective, and perhaps even deleterious, at least for persons experiencing a normal bereavement. On the other hand, there is some evidence that grief therapy is more beneficial and safer for those who have been traumatically bereaved. Beginning with this sobering appraisal, this article considers the findings of C. G. Davis, C. B. Wortman, D. R. Lehman, and R. C. Silver (this issue) and their implications for a meaning reconstruction approach to grief therapy, arguing that an expanded conception of meaning is necessary to provide a stronger basis for clinical intervention.

Predictors of complicated grief: a systematic review of empirical studies.

Abstract: A systematic review of the literature on predictors of complicated grief (CG) was undertaken with the aim of clarifying the current knowledge and to inform future planning and work in CG following bereavement. Predictors of CG prior to the death include previous loss, exposure to trauma, a previous psychiatric history, attachment style, and the relationship to the deceased. Factors associated with the death include violent death, the quality of the caregiving or dying experience, close kinship relationship to the deceased, marital closeness and dependency, and lack of preparation for the death. Perceived social support played a key role after death, along with cognitive appraisals and high distress at the time of the death. Inconsistent definitions of CG and measurement tools were noted in the earlier studies reviewed. Limitations identified in the studies included use of cross-sectional designs, heterogeneous samples, high attrition, demographic differences between cases and controls, differences in length of time since death, and differences in types of death experienced. Notwithstanding these limitations, some consistent findings have emerged. Further research into conceptualizations of CG in terms of attachment theory and constructivist and cognitive-behavioral concepts of finding purpose and meaning after bereavement is warranted.

Continuing Bonds and Reconstructing Meaning: Mitigating Complications in Bereavement.

Abstract: Drawing on attachment theory and constructivist conceptualizations of bereavement, the authors assessed the relation between continuing bonds coping and meaning reconstruction following the death of a loved one and complicated grief symptomatology. Five hundred six young adults in the first two years of bereavement from a variety of losses completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief along with measures of the strength of their ongoing attachment to the deceased and their capacity to make sense of the loss, find benefit in the experience, and reconstruct a progressive sense of identity following the death. Several variables concerning the survivor, his or her relationship to the deceased, and the nature of the death functioned as risk factors for heightened distress, but their role was generally moderated by meaning-making, often to the point of non-significance. In contrast, higher levels of benefit-finding and positive identity change were associated with lower levels of bereavement complication. Finally, an interaction emerged between sense-making and ongoing attachment to the deceased, suggesting that strong continuing bonds predicted greater levels of traumatic and especially separation distress, but only when the survivor was unable to make sense of the loss in personal, practical, existential, or spiritual terms.