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DEATH, DYING & BEREAVEMENT. Psychologists put death in a lifespan perspective. … idealized image of how we cope. We are a death dying society - Why?. sense that we can control death. decreased exposure to death. control over the forces of nature. sense of self.
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DEATH, DYING & BEREAVEMENT Psychologists put death in a lifespan perspective … idealized image of how we cope We are a death dying society - Why? • sense that we can control death • decreased exposure to death • control over the forces of nature • sense of self
Developmental View of Death Anxiety • children - don’t comprehend finality, universality • adolescents - sense of immortality • adulthood - long way away, but anxiety es • middle-age - physical changes, unfulfilled • dreams, death of parents • late adulthood - think about it more, less fearful • must consider cohort effects: • old today - wars, poor health care • young today - distanced, media
Concerns Regarding Death • high school students: losing loved one, • finality, punishment • middle-age: premature death, pain • older adults: process of dying, helpless, • undignified Attitudes Toward Death • typical • neurotic • creative
Kübler-Ross’ Stage Theory of Dying (1) Denial - ‘Not me!’ (2) Anger - ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’ (3) Bargaining - ‘I’ll be good!’ (4) Depression - death is unavoidable (5) Acceptance - peace, acceptance of fate • awakened interest in psychology of dying but ... many criticisms
Max. anxiety Crisis knowledge of death Integrated dying Death Birth Terminal Phase Acute crisis phase Chronic living-dying phase Pattison’s Phase Theory of Dying • different trajectories, depending on whether • death is certain or uncertain
‘Good Death’ Choosing when we die: Euthanasia • active - intentional act to hasten death • passive - failure to act, withdrawal • e.g., living will, durable power of attorney Choosing where we die: Hospices/Palliative Care • blend institutional care and home care • humanizes end-of-life experience for dying • as well as survivors • active and compassionate care for patient and • family
Bereavement • grief - feelings associated with loss • mourning - grief behaviours, leave-taking rituals Phases of grief and bereavement: • numbness • yearning • disorganisation • reorganisation/recovery
Death of a Spouse • most common loss in the elderly • societal pressure to mourn for a period of time • women widowed more often • for men and women, loss of person who had • many roles • men and women deal w/ widowhood differently • survivor often loses role of caregiver for ill • spouse