Overload

Abstract

The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (DPM) was put forward as a framework to help understand reactions to the death of a loved person. Since its inception, there have been various developments and further specifications regarding the model’s parameters. A number of researchers have assessed the model’s contribution and put some of its parameters to empirical test. It has also been applied in clinical practice. Despite generally positive assessment among both scientific and applied communities, we recently discovered what we consider to be a major shortcoming. The concept of overload has been neglected. Incorporation of this feature helps explain the preponderance of mental and physical health problems beyond the previous DPM focus on complications of grief. In this article, we incorporate the phenomenon of overload within the original framework, illustrating its application, and we discuss broader implications for coping and adaptation to bereavement.

Double bereavement, mental health consequences and support needs of children and young adults—When a divorced parent dies

“…This perpetuated a cycle of stress overload and yielded additional stressors that in turn compromised their coping potential and diminished their ability to live and work productively. The potential for poor well‐being and stress overload among double bereaved children and young adults is also found in other studies to exceed the capacity of normal coping abilities and resulted in prolongation and complicated grief (Marcussen, Hounsgaard, O’Connor, et al, ; Margaret Stroebe & Schut, ). It is evident that particular support is required to specifically mitigate the stress overload these children and young adults experience to promote their well‐being (Marcussen, Hounsgaard, O’Connor, et al, ; Pohlkamp, Kreicbergs, Prigerson, & Sveen, ; WHO—World Health Organization, ).…”

“…Effectiveness of family support is positively related to cohesive family dynamics and mental health capital within the family worlds (Lundberg et al, ; Thastum et al, ). To reduce the impact of overload, it is essential for professionals to support both family worlds to cooperate in supporting the double bereaved children and young adults within them, to cope with the stressors they experience (Lundberg et al, ; Marcussen, Hounsgaard, Bruun, et al, ; Margaret Stroebe & Schut, ). Our findings suggest a priority for improving support opportunities from close relationships and professionals at an earlier point for double bereaved children and young adults so as to reduce the adverse impacts of the transitions and disruptions they experience overall.…”

“…Our research findings recommend family‐focused interventions as well as individual and group support, during and following divorced parental critical cancer deterioration and subsequent death. The double bereavement model of factors influencing mental health provides guidance for clinicians who are caring for children and young people affected by stress overload (Figure ) (Margaret Stroebe & Schut, ). Interventions arise from a focus on the reduction in stress overload and enhancement of coping strategies associated with the complex transitions and disruptions with the family worlds of double bereaved children and young adults.…”

“…Our literature review was not able to locate any research that specifically has investigated how children and young adults experience double bereavement, so there is need for more knowledge on this issue, targeted for nurses and other groups of professionals. Stroebe and Schut's coping model, "the dual process model of coping with bereavement," combined with the concept of overload, is used to understand and investigate double bereavement (Stroebe & Schut, 2016;Stroebe & Schut, 1999;Stroebe & Schut, 2010). The dual process model (DPM) describes the ways people cope with the loss of a loved one.…”

“…Some children and young adults struggle with feelings of loss many years after parental divorce, and living in between two family worlds including the complexities and conflicts in close relationships can result in difficulties in coping with the loss and restitution stressors in the dual process of parental bereavement. This includes risk of stress overload and prolonged grief, when facing a divorced parents' cancer and death (Gordon, Duttera, Lee, Cincotta, & Haltom, 1999;Johnsen et al, 2018;Marcussen, Hounsgaard, O'Connor, et al, 2019a;Stroebe & Schut, 2016). Young adults in a cross-sectional survey reported, in general, an overall poor psychosocial well-being following parental death, with risk of mild-to-severe anxiety and depression and low self-esteem and life satisfaction (Lundberg et al, 2018).…”