title: Ambiguous loss from chronic physical illness: clinical interventions with individuals, couples, and families.
abstract: The theory of ambiguous loss is applied to chronic illness in individuals, couples, and families. Lack of clarity about prognosis, daily physical condition, and fluctuating capabilities create relationship confusion, preoccupation with the illness, or avoidance of the ill individual. Immobilization, depression, and relationship collapse may occur in response to features of chronic illness over which there is no control. A case study illustrates helpful therapeutic interventions for couples and families with chronically ill members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108-6140, USA. pboss@che.umn.edu
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boss
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Couden
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005196:Family Therapy; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group