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Summary
This article explores the main theories of grief and bereavement. It important that nurses have a good knowledge and understanding of the processes and stages involved so that they can support individuals who are bereaved. The terms grief, mourning and bereavement are defined and the unique experience of loss is emphasised, acknowledging the importance of person-centred care.
Keywords
Bereavement, end of life care, grief, mourning, theories
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DEATH IS A SITUATION that is frequently encountered by nurses and other healthcare professionals in the course of their work. It is important that nurses have a good understanding of the reactions and responses to grief and bereavement so that they are in a better position to support patients, family members and relatives during the grieving process.
Grief is a natural human response to separation, bereavement or loss, in particular the loss of a loved one. The terms grief, mourning and bereavement are often used interchangeably, howeverthey have different meanings. Grief describes an individual's personal response to loss and has emotional, physical, behavioural, cognitive, social and spiritual dimensions Greenstreet 2004). Mourning is the outward and active expression of that grief. It is through the process of mourning that grief is resolved. Bereavement refers to the period after loss during which grief and mourning occur. It is the state of having experienced a loss. Bereavement is a form of depression, which usually resolves spontaneously over time. The person who is bereaved may experience anxiety, insomnia, inertia, hyperactivity or a feeling of helplessness.
Grief, mourning and bereavement may be affected by personality, culture, religion, the nature of the relationship with the deceased person and the way in which he or she died. Stroebe et al (1 993) defined bereavement as a state of loss, triggering a grief reaction that manifests in a set of behaviours known as mourning.
Theories and frameworks
Many theories or models of grief have common themes or stages (Lindemann 1...