DEATH DYING BEREAVEMENT Psychologists put death in a

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

Pattison’s Phase Theory of Dying Max. anxiety Int Birth Crisis knowledge of death Acute crisis phase eg rat e dd yin g Chronic living-dying phase Death Terminal Phase • 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