Grief is a natural and nearly universal response to the death of a loved one. But what is less recognized is that it is also a response to circumstances that have far less social recognition and support—the loss of health to illness or injury, the demise of relationships through betrayal or separation, the erosion of financial security through unemployment or retirement, challenges to identity through loss of community, and more. With longer lives come changing roles, and often difficult decision-making about healthcare and residence leading to further losses that reverberate for individuals, family systems, and professional care networks. Relationships die while those who were in these relationships continue to live. The world we have known can dramatically change, leaving us with a plenitude of losses we can scarcely name, but keenly feel. All of these transitions can deeply challenge our assumptions about how life is or should be, and how we see ourselves, others, and the future.
In this module, we will explore the underpinnings and impact of these types of losses on our daily lives, including how we find meaning within our social networks. Special attention will be given to the clinical and social implications for those who experience a wide range and variety of non-death losses. The module will also introduce the use of a validated measure (non-death loss version) to explore the impact of the social network upon the ability to make meaning after significant non-death losses.
