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Mrazek MD, Dow BR, Richelle J, Pasch AM, Godderis N, Pamensky TA, Rutila BA, Mrazek AJ. Aspects of acceptance: building a shared conceptual understanding. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1423976. [PMID: 38974104 PMCID: PMC11225620 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Many contemplatives, scientists, and clinicians have pointed to the value of responding to life's difficulties by accepting experiences as they are. A growing body of research also suggests that acceptance contributes to effective coping with adversity, reduced stress, and improved emotional well-being. Yet within the scientific literature, there is little consensus on what acceptance means or how it should be measured. This makes it nearly impossible to synthesize empirical work on acceptance into a cohesive scientific understanding. Our goal in this paper is to clarify four facets of acceptance that are commonly referenced in research: acknowledging, allowing, non-judging, and non-attachment. We do not propose a specific definition of acceptance or even a set of privileged facets that must be included in future frameworks. We instead offer a vocabulary to facilitate productive communication among researchers that will, in turn, enable a more definitive scientific understanding of this important construct to emerge. After defining and explaining these aspects of acceptance, we further clarify these constructs in two ways. First, we illustrate how the four aspects are dissociable from one another. Second, we analyze their correspondence to related constructs from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Finally, we provide a concept worksheet that scholars can utilize to precisely operationalize acceptance in their own work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Mrazek
- School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Austin, TX, United States
- Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Bailey R. Dow
- School Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Justine Richelle
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Alexander M. Pasch
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Nathan Godderis
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Talia A. Pamensky
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Bryce A. Rutila
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Alissa J. Mrazek
- The Applied Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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Pacaol NF. Acceptance, Endurance, and Meaninglessness: A Qualitative Case Study on the Mourning Tasks of Parental Death From Childhood Experience to Adolescence. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2023; 88:376-397. [PMID: 34121504 DOI: 10.1177/00302228211024465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Bereavement and mourning are arguably one of the research interests of psychologists, psychoanalysts, and psychiatrists since Freud's publication of Mourning and Melancholia. This paper is a qualitative case study that sought to examine the mourning experience of the participant from childhood until his adolescence. For theoretical foundation, the four tasks of mourning primarily developed by James Worden was utilized for the proper direction of the research inquiry; namely: a.) accepting the reality of death; b.) experiencing the feeling of grief; c.) adjusting and creating new meanings in the post-loss world; and d.) reconfiguring the bond with the lost person. The paper finds that the participant's cognitive attitude, emotional experiences, and personal observations of the environment enable him to overcome actively (in an overlapping manner) the three tasks of mourning. However, the failure to find an enduring connection with his deceased parents is not a result of strong attachment but with the absence of personal belief about the meta-existence of God.
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Dodd A, Guerin S, Delaney S, Dodd P. How can we know what we don't know? An exploration of professionals' engagement with complicated grief. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:1329-1337. [PMID: 34656389 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research has shown that complicated grief has the potential to adversely affect bereaved individuals, and in this context, understanding how mental health professionals engage with it in practice is of relevance. Gaining an understanding of professionals' knowledge, attitudes, skills and training in relation to complicated grief could provide insights that will inform their training and professional development. The aim of this study was to consider professionals' engagement with complicated grief, as represented by self-reported knowledge, attitudes, skills and training. METHODS The study used a three-phase mixed methods design (systematic review, qualitative interviews, and a quantitative survey) with empirical data being collected from psychologists, psychiatrists and counselor/psychotherapists. RESULTS Analysis yielded 15 integrated findings across the three phases, which were grouped into two clusters: the first highlighted tension between professionals' reported confidence and competence and the second explored the parameters and contribution of research and training in this area. CONCLUSION Professionals' perception of their competence to work with complicated grief seems overstated and research and professional practice are not aligned. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS These findings are positioned to inform empirically supported training that addresses identified deficits in professionals' knowledge, attitudes and skills. It is important therefore that training is reflective of the needs of different professional groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dodd
- UCD School of Psychology, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Suzanne Guerin
- UCD School of Psychology, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Susan Delaney
- Irish Hospice Foundation, Morrison Chambers, Nassau St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Philip Dodd
- St Michael's House Intellectual Disability Service, Ballymun Rd, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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Menichetti Delor JP, Borghi L, Cao di San Marco E, Fossati I, Vegni E. Phone follow up to families of COVID-19 patients who died at the hospital: families' grief reactions and clinical psychologists' roles. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 56:498-511. [PMID: 33511652 PMCID: PMC8013378 DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
A proportion of persons affected by coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) die and do so in extraordinary circumstances. This can make grief management extremely challenging for families. The Clinical Psychology unit of an Italian hospital offered a bereavement follow‐up call to such families. This study aimed to explore the families' experiences and needs collected during these calls, and the role that the psychologists played through the call. A total of 246 families were called over 3 months. Multiple qualitative methods included: (i) written reports of the calls with relatives of patients who died at the hospital for COVID‐19; (ii) qualitative semi‐structured interviews with psychologists involved in the calls; (iii) observation of psychologists' peer group discussions. A thematic analysis was conducted. Six themes emerged: without death rituals, solitary, unexpected, unfair, unsafe, coexisting with other stressors. Families' reactions were perceived by psychologists as close to a traumatic grief. Families' needs ranged from finding alternative rituals to giving meaning and expressing different emotions. The psychologists played both a social‐institutional and a psychological‐human role through the calls (e.g., they cured disrupted communication or validated feelings and choices). This study highlighted the potential of traumatic grief of families of COVID‐19 victims, and provided indications for supporting them within the space of a short phone call.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lidia Borghi
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Fossati
- Unit of Clinical Psychology, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Vegni
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Unit of Clinical Psychology, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Huggins C, Hinkson G. Signs of Traumatic Grief, Lack of Justice, Magnitude of Loss, and Signs of Resilience Following the Homicidal Loss of Their Adult Child Among Caribbean Black Mothers. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2020; 84:914-934. [PMID: 32336201 DOI: 10.1177/0030222820921013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the aftermath of adult homicide on Trinidadian mothers. This is an understudied population, and the ability of these mothers to cope with the aftermath of such a tragedy needs to be fully acknowledged in order to understand their mental health status after the traumatic death of an adult child. This study utilized a narrative analysis approach to interview 20 mothers and used NVIVO 12 software to analyze the data. The findings highlight that factors such as multiple deaths, the scale of loss, and attempts to seek justice complicated the grief process. Although none of the mothers interviewed were diagnosed with a grief disorder, it was evident that their grief was indeed traumatic. It took more than a year for some mothers to find ways and opportunities for resilience, while others continue to struggle in the aftermath. Homicidally bereaved mothers are a distinct population that should be studied as they have the experiential knowledge and are willing to share the feelings and trauma-related needs after their loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Huggins
- Behavioral Science, Social Work Unit, University of the West Indies at St. Augustine
| | - Glenda Hinkson
- Faculty of Social Science, University of Southern Caribbean
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Meller N, Parker D, Hatcher D, Sheehan A. Grief experiences of nurses after the death of an adult patient in an acute hospital setting: An integrative review of literature. Collegian 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Dodd A, Guerin S, Delaney S, Dodd P. Complicated grief: Knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals: A systematic review. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2017; 100:1447-1458. [PMID: 28320560 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A systematic review and qualitative synthesis was undertaken to deduce the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals regarding complicated grief (CG). METHODS PsychInfo, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PBSC, Web of Science and ERIC databases were used to identify relevant literature. Searches were executed from inception to September 2014. RESULTS The electronic search yielded 305 results. Forty-one papers were selected for full text review, 20 were included for analysis. 6 examined primary data, the remaining 14 being reviews, opinion or guideline pieces. CONCLUSIONS Despite the lack of consensus on terminology, criteria and diagnosis, it appears that there is more than sufficient agreement within the CG research community regarding the knowledge and skills required to assist someone presenting with CG. A palpable fear of medicalising grief exists, but this would seem to be based on a conflation of normal grief and CG. This review highlights the mainly unidirectional nature of current research, the voice of the practitioner being largely unheard. A need for and an interest in training in CG was expressed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS There is an urgent need to translate research findings into clinical practice. Training must take account of attitudinal barriers to implementation, balancing evidence and stories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dodd
- UCD School of Psychology, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Suzanne Guerin
- UCD School of Psychology, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Susan Delaney
- Irish Hospice Foundation, Morrison Chambers, Nassau St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Philip Dodd
- St Michael's House Intellectual Disability Service, Ballymun Rd, Dublin 9, Ireland; UCD Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Henoch I, Berg C, Benkel I. The Shared Experience Help the Bereavement to Flow: A Family Support Group Evaluation. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2016; 33:959-965. [PMID: 26430134 DOI: 10.1177/1049909115607204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
When a family member dies, a bereavement period is taking place for all family members. The death of a parent during childhood is a highly stressful event. This study evaluates families' experiences of family support groups when a parent has died. Families were participate in groups for children, teenagers, young adults, and parents in seven sessions. The same topic which was discussed in all groups. The support groups were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The participants were satisfied with the groups and experienced that the shared experience facilitated bereavement to proceed. The results indicate that families' experiences is being more open about feelings in their own family. A support group can be one possibility to help the whole family in the bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingela Henoch
- The Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Inger Benkel
- Palliative Department, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Näppä U, Lundgren AB, Axelsson B. The effect of bereavement groups on grief, anxiety, and depression - a controlled, prospective intervention study. BMC Palliat Care 2016; 15:58. [PMID: 27405317 PMCID: PMC4941031 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-016-0129-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTACT BACKGROUND Bereavement groups are believed to be beneficial as preventive interventions to reduce the development of complicated grief for people at risk after the death of a significant other. This study aimed to investigate whether measurable effects on grief, anxiety, and depression could be detected in those participating in bereavement groups compared to non-participating controls. METHODS Questionnaires covering the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and background questions were handed out pre-intervention, five weeks and one year post-intervention to bereaved caregivers invited to bereavement groups. The results were analysed with non-parametric methods. RESULTS A total of 124 individuals answered the questionnaires, and were divided into three categories: participants, non-participants unable to participate, and non-participants not wanting to participate in bereavement groups. At the one-year follow up, participants and those unable to participate reported higher levels of grief and were more anxious than those not wanting to participate. Depression did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Participation in bereavement groups did not produce any effects on grief, anxiety, or depression in comparison to non-participants who were unable to participate. Non-participants who did not want to participate reported lower levels of grief and anxiety than the other two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla Näppä
- />Department of Nursing Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
- />Centres of Surgery, Östersund Hospital, Östersund, Sweden
| | | | - Bertil Axelsson
- />Department of Radiation Sciences, Unit of Surgery - Östersund, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Knight C, Gitterman A. Group work with bereaved individuals: the power of mutual aid. SOCIAL WORK 2014; 59:5-12. [PMID: 24640226 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swt050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Group work has been underused as an intervention with grieving clients. This is despite the fact that group membership offers bereaved individuals a number of unique advantages. In this article, the use of group work with bereaved individuals is examined, based on current theory and research. The role and skills of the group worker are identified and illustrated through the use of case examples. Challenges associated with working with groups for bereaved individuals also are discussed.
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Pickover S, Slowik LH. Repercussions of Mortgage Foreclosure: Loss of Place Attachment, Adult Roles, and Trust. ADULTSPAN JOURNAL 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-0029.2013.00020.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Holman EA, Perisho J, Edwards A, Mlakar N. The myths of coping with loss in undergraduate psychiatric nursing books. Res Nurs Health 2010; 33:486-99. [PMID: 21053383 DOI: 10.1002/nur.20407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Nurses often help patients cope with loss. Recent research has cast doubt on the validity of early theories about loss and grief commonly taught to nurses. We systematically examined the accuracy of information on coping with loss presented in 23 commonly used undergraduate psychiatric nursing books. All 23 books contained at least one unsupported assumption (myth) about loss and grief. In 78% of these books, authors described four or more myths and only one evidence-based finding about coping with loss. On balance most books provided details on the myths about grief and loss with minimal discussion of the current evidence. Authors of psychiatric nursing books continue to disseminate unsupported theories about grief responses without adequately acknowledging evidence challenging core assumptions underlying them.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Alison Holman
- Program in Nursing Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3959, USA
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