Languages of Grief: a model for understanding the expressions of the bereaved.
The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the key features of the expressions of grief. Grief is a response to loss or anticipated loss. Although universal, its oral and nonverbal expression varies across cultures and individuals. Loss is produced by an event perceived to be negative to varying degrees by the individuals involved and has the potential to trigger long-term changes in a person's cognitions and relationships. The languages used by the bereaved to express grief differ from the language used by professionals, creating dissonance between the two. Data were obtained from English language Medline and CINAHL databases, from professional and personal experiences, interviews with experts, and exploration of cemetery memorials. Blog websites and social networks provided additional materials for further refinement of the model. Content analysis of the materials and agreement by the authors as to the themes resulted in the development of the model. To bridge the gap between professional language and that used by the bereaved, aLanguages of Griefmodel was developed consisting of fourModesofExpression,fourTypes of Language,plus threeContingent Factors.TheLanguages of Griefprovides a framework for comprehending the grief of the individual, contributing to clinical understanding, and fruitful exploration by professionals in better understanding the use of languages by the bereaved. Attention to the Modes of Expression, Types of Language, and Contingent Factors provides the professional with a richer understanding of the grieving individual, a step in providing appropriate support to the bereaved. TheLanguages of Griefprovides a framework for application to discrete occurrences with the goal of understanding grief from the perspective of the bereaved.
MGH Institute of Health Professions , Boston , MA 02116 , USA.
Inge B
IB
Corless
Gundersen Health System , La Crosse , WI , USA.
Rana
R
Limbo
School of Nursing, University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
Regina Szylit
RS
Bousso
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ , USA.
Robert L
RL
Wrenn
Flebbs Benefice, Anglican Diocese of Norwich , UK.
David
D
Head
Royal Prince Alfred and Royal Hospital for Women, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
Norelle
N
Lickiss
College of Education, University of Florida , Gainesville , FL , USA.
Hannelore
H
Wass
bereavement; communication; grief; language; professional