Family characteristics and dynamics: A systems approach to grief

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of attending to the interplay of one person's grief with that of another in the context of the family's relationship to the culture at large, where the individual is embedded in a larger matrix of relationships with others as well with the larger interpersonal and cultural context in which the family is embedded. Viewed systemically, grief may or may not be expressed similarly among family members, based upon the impact of a death on them as well as the meaning they attribute to this death. These intra-family differences are a function of how family members interact and communicate, in part consistent with the developmental phase at which families as intergenerational entities are functioning, wherein developmental shifts in family dynamics may also predict of individual grief over time. The therapeutic and research implications of a systems approach to grief are also discussed here.

The Masking of Mourning: Social Disconnection After Bereavement and Its Role in Psychological Distress

“…Our results show that the reductions in social disconnection in the first 12 to 18 months following loss are predictive of reductions in psychological distress during the same period. These results have clinical implications for the treatment of PGD, PTSD, and depression following loss and suggest that a focus on compassion regarding grief expression and communication via self-compassion techniques (Gilbert, 2009), cognitive reappraisal and reclaiming life assignments (Ehlers & Clark, 2000), or systemic approaches (Hayslip & Page, 2013) may be beneficial to grief adaptation.…”

A world shared – a world apart: the experience of families after the death of a significant other late in life

“…Hence, a consensus has evolved that most come to terms with their grief in interaction with their families and friends (National Institute for Clinical Excellence , Rumbold & Aoun ). However, the relational process by which a group of interconnected people experiences a change in relationships through death remains poorly understood (Hayslip & Page , Thirsk & Moules ).…”

“…Most insights about later life bereavement are based on research with individuals. Hence, grief has predominately been recognized as an intrapersonal process and only to a lesser extent as an interpersonal experience (Hayslip & Page , Neimeyer et al . ).…”

“…Theoretical writings most often posit family as a relational context to individuals’ lives, whereby families are seen as a source of support (Gilbert , Shapiro ). Moreover, family system perspectives recognize family as more and different from individuals merely interacting with each other (Nadeau , Hayslip & Page ). As such, the death of a family member is a system‐wide event that disrupts families in their particular situation and context (Berger & Weiss , Hayslip & Page ).…”

“…Moreover, family system perspectives recognize family as more and different from individuals merely interacting with each other (Nadeau , Hayslip & Page ). As such, the death of a family member is a system‐wide event that disrupts families in their particular situation and context (Berger & Weiss , Hayslip & Page ). Bereaved families’ unique configurations, needs, capacities and meaning‐making strategies are of interest (Gilbert, , Nadeau , Berger & Weiss , Davis et al ., ).…”