CT Complicated Grief & Trauma 3

Question 1

Which neurobiological finding has been associated with Prolonged Grief Disorder compared to normal grief?

Accepted Answer

Elevated nucleus accumbens activation in response to reminders of the deceased

Answer

Neuroimaging studies have found elevated nucleus accumbens (reward circuitry) activation in PGD, suggesting grief may involve reward-seeking for the deceased that perpetuates longing.

Question 2

In Shear's Complicated Grief Treatment model, 'aspirational goals' serve what function?

Accepted Answer

Reconnecting the bereaved to future-oriented life engagement

Answer

Aspirational goals in CGT help clients envision and work toward a meaningful future life, counteracting the stagnation characteristic of complicated grief.

Question 3

A bereaved parent avoids all rooms where their child slept and refuses to speak the child's name, stating 'it's too painful.' From a complicated grief perspective, this behavior is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Maladaptive avoidance maintaining grief complications

Answer

Prolonged avoidance of reminders prevents the emotional processing needed for adaptation and is a key maintenance factor in complicated grief.

Question 4

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'shattered assumptions' as it relates to traumatic loss?

Accepted Answer

The collapse of beliefs about the world as benevolent, meaningful, and self-worthy

Answer

Janoff-Bulman's Shattered Assumptions Theory holds that traumatic loss destroys core beliefs about the world's benevolence, meaningfulness, and one's own self-worth.

Question 5

A clinician notes that a grief client repeatedly reconstructs a positive narrative about the deceased while denying any ambivalence. According to complicated grief theory, this may indicate:

Accepted Answer

Idealization that inhibits authentic grieving

Answer

Extreme idealization of the deceased can prevent the bereaved from processing ambivalent feelings, which may complicate grief and delay adaptation.

(CT) Certified Thanatologist Practice Test

(CT) Certified Thanatologist Practice Test

CT Complicated Grief & Trauma 3