Loss and Grief

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how theory influences the work of practitioners in the area of loss to shifting scales. It looks at how the different theoretical positions that have evolved through the twentieth century have contributed positively to the work of practitioners in the area of loss and how, although there are the potential benefits provided by the theory, there are potential negative effects of strict adherence to a particular theoretical position in this work. It attempts to show that it may be the use of the theory, rather than the theory itself, that must be considered more carefully in improving the approach to those facing loss.

From the Paper:

"Change, loss and grief for children may be a normal part of life and theory underpinning the work of those who work with children tends to focus on tasks of grief (Worden, 1991; Baker et al, 1992). Such theory, which focuses on tasks, relates to both educative work with children and psychological work with bereaved children. The use of the theory is of particular relevance in educative programs, which are not led by trained professionals. In adapting Worden's four tasks of grief: to accept the reality of the loss, to work through the pain of grief, to adjust to an environment in which the significant person is no longer present, to emotionally relocate the person and move on with life, Graham (1997) has written an educative program as distinct from one to be used in a clinical setting."

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