PSYCH218 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Shared Experience, Unexpect
Document Summary
Walsh/goldrick loss and the family: a systemic perspective. Death as transactional process between deceased and survivioors in a shared life cycle that acknowledges both the finality of death and the continuity of life. Family processes are crucial determinants of the healthy or dysfunctional adaptation to loss. Denial of death maintains the myth of perfect normal family. We change and adapt to everyday loses reorganize relationships, etc. Family adjustment is so difficult must rearrange. Legacies of loss find expression in continuing patterns of interaction and mutual influence among the survivors and across the generations. Two processes: intrapsychic process in self (denial) and the closed relationship system can"t communicate denial b/c hurt family. Aftershocks of emotional response usually not death related, but reaction to emotional dependence of family system. When grief is unrecognized, could lead to rejection of spouse or child withdrawal. Important to come to terms with and the changing relationship patterns too.