Outline for Final Loss Across the Lifespan Paper
The purpose of this paper is to integrate the theory and practice principles we have learned and to apply them to a living persons experience of loss. The outline below is provided as a guide, not a rigid format. Each subsection should be labeled, but not all questions are appropriate to your respondents loss. The order is not prescribed- flow of the papers narrative is more important than answering questions in order. Although this is a formal paper and proper grammar, syntax, spelling and citation are expected, you may use I judiciously (especially in the summary). The paper itself is typically 10-15 pages, not including the interview.
Read the attached interview and follow the following directions to write the paper.
The Respondent: Describe the persons demographics, their developmental age and functioning, and your relationship to the respondent. What intersectional identities impact their loss or their mourning of it?
The Loss: Describe the persons loss, both referring to the words they used (in the transcript, but also your classification of the loss (ie a disenfranchised loss of a loved pet during the adolescent years)).
Application of Grief Theory: Think about the information you elicited about how the person experienced their loss and particularly how they believed their grief process evolved. Try to use several sections of the transcript to show the evolution of the grief process over time while possibly applying the questions below to a section or two (remember, each question is not appropriate for all losses).
Does the persons trajectory of grief fit better within classical grief theories, task or process oriented models of grief- classical, or newer post-modern models (Disenfranchised grief; Continuing Bonds; Meaning- making)? (Use appropriate professional literature)
How do spirituality/ culture or other aspects play a role in the persons grief process and/ or meaning- making?
What area/s did the person struggle with as their grief evolved and what factors do you assess as critical to why they had more difficulty in those areas?
4. Application of Practice:
If you were providing grief work services to this person just after their loss, what models/ theories would inform your assessment and treatment plan? Integrate professional literature.
What do you believe the persons needs continue to be in regards to this loss and what would you recommend professionally to help?
5. Summary:
How do you perceive this persons loss overall?
What did you learn from this experience interviewing them?
Attach the transcript at the end with the comments received from when you turned the interview in mid-semester.
Rubric:
15 points- evidence of competent interview and transcription (5 points for flow (open-ended questions); 5 for following respondents lead; 5 for completeness) – These points are from the first part of the assignment
15 points- shows analysis of the loss within the theoretical frameworks of loss (5 points for identification of types of loss; 5 for use of relevant loss theories; 5 for analysis)
10 points- shows evidence of skilled application to practice planning (5 for appropriate plan; 5 for connection to the theoretical assessment as driving the intervention)
10 points- follows instructions, has accurate grammar, syntax, citation and writing.
These are some resources you can use
McCoyd, J.L.M. & Walter, C. A. (2016). Grief and loss across the lifespan: A biopsychosocial perspective (2nd ed). New York: Springer Publishing.(ISBN 978-0-8261-2028-1- paperback)Neimeyer, R.A., Harris, D. L., Winokuer, H. R., & Thornton, G. F. (2011). Grief and bereavement in contemporary society: Bridging research and practice. New York: Routledge.(ISBN 978-0-415-88481- paperback)Recommended:Doka, K. (2002). Disenfranchised grief: New directions, challenges, and strategies for practice. Champagne, IL: Research Press.Klass, D., Silverman, P. R., & Nickman, S. L. (1996). Continuing bonds: New understandings of grief. Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis.Rando, T. (1993). Treatment of complicated mourning. Champagne, IL: Research Press.
Maciejewski, P.K. et al. (2007) An empirical examination of the stage theory of grief. JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association, 297, 716-723.
Neimeyer , R. A., Klass, D. & Dennis, M. R. (2014). A Social Constructionist account of grief: Loss and the narration of meaning. Death Studies, 38(8), 485-498, doi:10.1080/07481187.2014.913454
Shear, K., Frank, E., Houck, P. & Reynolds, C.F. (2007). Treatment of complicated grief. JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association, 293 (21), 2601-2608.
Balk, D. (1999). Bereavement and spiritual change. Death Studies, 23, 485-493.
Edwards, S. S., McCreanor, T. T., Ormsby, M. M., Tuwhangai, N. N., & Tippene-Leach, D. D. (2009). Maori men and the grief of SIDS. Death Studies, 33(2), 130-152.
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