Grief & Bereavement Theory Flashcards

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in the DSM-5-TR requires symptoms to persist for at least how long after the death?

Answer: 12 months

The DSM-5-TR criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder require that disabling grief symptoms persist for at least 12 months following the death of a close person.

According to Parkes, the 'pining' experienced during bereavement is most analogous to which biological drive?

Answer: Separation protest in attachment behavior

Parkes drew on Bowlby's attachment theory to argue that pining in grief mirrors the biological separation protest seen in infants when separated from attachment figures.

A counselor working with a bereaved client uses letter-writing to the deceased as an intervention. This is most consistent with which theoretical framework?

Answer: Continuing Bonds Theory

Letter-writing to the deceased supports an ongoing relationship, consistent with continuing bonds theory, which validates maintaining connection with the deceased as adaptive.

In Worden's four tasks, 'adjusting to a world without the deceased' (Task III) includes which three types of adjustment?

Answer: External, internal, and spiritual

Worden describes Task III as requiring external adjustment (practical roles), internal adjustment (sense of self), and spiritual adjustment (worldview and meaning).

Which factor does research most consistently identify as a risk factor for complicated grief?

Answer: A highly dependent or ambivalent relationship

Research consistently identifies a highly dependent or ambivalent relationship with the deceased as a significant risk factor for complicated grief outcomes.

The concept of 'posttraumatic growth' in the context of bereavement refers to:

Answer: Positive psychological change resulting from the struggle with loss

Posttraumatic growth, as described by Tedeschi and Calhoun, involves positive psychological transformation — such as increased personal strength or spiritual development — arising from the struggle with bereavement.

When applying the Dual Process Model clinically, oscillation between loss- and restoration-orientation is considered:

Answer: Normal and adaptive grief coping

Stroebe and Schut explicitly describe oscillation between loss and restoration orientations as the normal, healthy, and adaptive way adults cope with bereavement across time.