Complicated Grief is a relatively new concept that is globally debated by psychiatrists and psychologists. The time has come for social workers to join this debate and to develop and implement programmes to address the consequences following complicated grief, specifically which results in impaired social functioning. Complicated Grief, prolonged grief and traumatic grief are all synonyms. The term 'complicated grief is the preferred concept used in this research. Article 1 is a literature overview on factors leading to complicated grief and at the same time attempts to link these factors to the South African circumstances. South African citizens are not exempted from experiencing complicated grief. Cultural beliefs on death and dying, AIDS and cancer-related deaths, crime and sociopolitical deaths are but some of the risk factors. She furthermore highlights complicated grief as a matter to be assessed by social workers. The normality of grief is questioned when the grief experience prohibits the individual to regain a state of social functioning as close as possible to the pre-loss state. Complicated grief is regarded by many researchers as a specific condition in need of specific intervention. The efficacy of bereavement intervention in the case of normal grief is questioned, and it seems that individuals who experience complicated grief benefit more from bereavement intervention. Article 2 attempts to clarify the necessity to screen clients prior to including them in a complicated grief intervention programme by discussing the Inventory of Traumatic Grief as developed by Prigerson and colleagues. The researcher furthermore introduces the Grief Assessment Guide (GASsG) as an assessment tool during the screening process. In article 3 the researchers tabulate some of the most important models/approaches to bereavement and discuss its applicability to Complicated Grief. Specific attention is given to the Dual Process Model (Stroebe & Schut, 1999) and the task-centred approach (a social work approach to therapy) in an attempt to develop a model for Complicated Grief Intervention. This article furthermore proposes the Complicated Grief Intervention Model (CGIM) through the integration of the dual process model and the task-centred approach, while drawing on intervention techniques from other therapeutic approaches. Article 4 explains the implementation of the Complicated Grief Intervention Programme (CGIP) with the CGIM as framework for intervention. The researchers briefly discuss some of the intervention techniques, such as desensitization, visualization, client-log, miracle question, metaphors, rituals and humour. These techniques assist the social worker and the client towards achieving the goal. The CGIP is a time-limited interventions programme. It consists of, and is based on, the three steps of the CGIM: assessment, implementation and evaluation/termination. Although the CGIP has not been scientifically tested, it holds the potential to serve as a guided programme for social workers in the field of grief and bereavement. Article 5 is a discussion of the empirical findings of the research. This article describes the implementation of the proposed CGIP in the South African context. This article furthermore aims at evaluating the feasibility of implementing the CGIP rather than testing the effectiveness of the programme. Section C summarizes and evaluates the research and makes recommendations regarding its value and the value of possible future research on complicated grief in the South African context. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Complicated Grief is a relatively new concept that is globally debated by psychiatrists and psychologists. The time has come for social workers to join this debate and to develop and implement programmes to address the consequences following complicated grief, specifically which results in impaired social functioning. Complicated Grief, prolonged grief and traumatic grief are all synonyms. The term 'complicated grief is the preferred concept used in this research. Article 1 is a literature overview on factors leading to complicated grief and at the same time attempts to link these factors to the South African circumstances. South African citizens are not exempted from experiencing complicated grief. Cultural beliefs on death and dying, AIDS and cancer-related deaths, crime and sociopolitical deaths are but some of the risk factors. She furthermore highlights complicated grief as a matter to be assessed by social workers. The normality of grief is questioned when the grief experience prohibits the individual to regain a state of social functioning as close as possible to the pre-loss state. Complicated grief is regarded by many researchers as a specific condition in need of specific intervention. The efficacy of bereavement intervention in the case of normal grief is questioned, and it seems that individuals who experience complicated grief benefit more from bereavement intervention. Article 2 attempts to clarify the necessity to screen clients prior to including them in a complicated grief intervention programme by discussing the Inventory of Traumatic Grief as developed by Prigerson and colleagues. The researcher furthermore introduces the Grief Assessment Guide (GASsG) as an assessment tool during the screening process. In article 3 the researchers tabulate some of the most important models/approaches to bereavement and discuss its applicability to Complicated Grief. Specific attention is given to the Dual Process Model (Stroebe & Schut, 1999) and the task-centred approach (a social work approach to therapy) in an attempt to develop a model for Complicated Grief Intervention. This article furthermore proposes the Complicated Grief Intervention Model (CGIM) through the integration of the dual process model and the task-centred approach, while drawing on intervention techniques from other therapeutic approaches. Article 4 explains the implementation of the Complicated Grief Intervention Programme (CGIP) with the CGIM as framework for intervention. The researchers briefly discuss some of the intervention techniques, such as desensitization, visualization, client-log, miracle question, metaphors, rituals and humour. These techniques assist the social worker and the client towards achieving the goal. The CGIP is a time-limited interventions programme. It consists of, and is based on, the three steps of the CGIM: assessment, implementation and evaluation/termination. Although the CGIP has not been scientifically tested, it holds the potential to serve as a guided programme for social workers in the field of grief and bereavement. Article 5 is a discussion of the empirical findings of the research. This article describes the implementation of the proposed CGIP in the South African context. This article furthermore aims at evaluating the feasibility of implementing the CGIP rather than testing the effectiveness of the programme. Section C summarizes and evaluates the research and makes recommendations regarding its value and the value of possible future research on complicated grief in the South African context. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

It is widely acknowledged in the literature that grief is most intense when it is experienced by parents whose children have died. However, as recently as 20 years ago, mothers whose children died at birth or before the pregnancy had reached full term were often dismissed as merely medical patients, and their psychological reactions were not considered or acknowledged by professionals, their friends, or their families. More recently fields such as psychology have recognized that women who have experienced pregnancy loss have complex psychological reactions to their loss. The present study examined the patterns of grief of women who have had a pregnancy end in spontaneous abortion or stillbirth and the ways in which these women gave meaning to their experiences. Participants were asked to complete several measures including the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS), the Hogan Grief reaction Checklist (HGRC), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSS), and the Inventory of Social Support (ISS). The participants also wrote a narrative account of their loss experience. These narratives were content analyzed to delineate common themes. The findings indicated several important factors which may be useful in understanding and assisting in post-loss adjustment.

This dissertation is concerned with the question of whether nations grieve, whether the behaviour they exhibit in the wake of loss can be said to constitute grief. Initially exploring the concepts of both grief and nation in order to establish the feasibility of national grief as a notion, it goes on to examine the applicability of grief theory, traditionally developed in the context of the individual suffering bereavement, to large-scale national collectives which have undergone significant shared loss. The investigation is conducted with reference to two case studies: the Palestinian people in the aftermath of the loss of their land to the creation of Israel in the nakba of 1948; and Israel itself, as a manifestation of the European Jewish response to the holocaust and the centuries of loss and suffering which led up to it. In both cases, the relevant periods of history are scanned to see to what extent, if any, historical accounts reflect the contours and parameters of the grieving experience as the latter is described and defined in the grief theory literature. In addition, and serving to triangulate the evidence thus gleaned from national history, the contemporary visual arts of both nations, with their observation of and comment on the dominant features and issues of current national identity, are employed as data sources and explored with a view to ascertaining whether they reflect any themes expressive of or pertinent to collective historical loss and grief. The findings from this research into national history and identity within a grief experience framework may serve to open up a new direction for the further development of grief theory. They may also, in revealing the insights afforded by a grief theory perspective on long-term interactions within the global community, offer some contribution to the study of international relations.

This study has developed and evaluated two instruments, a questionnaire, the Grief Diagnostic Instrument, and an interview, the Grief Diagnostic Interview to detect and measure the extant state of grief in general practice patients. These instruments investigate grief from past, present and impending death and non-death related losses occurring directly to the patient, as well as caused indirectly through experiencing grief in sympathy with the grief of others. The unique feature of these instruments is that they investigate grief from all losses rather than merely a single loss. The questionnaire was demonstrated to be a concise, valid, reliable and sensitive measure, and acceptable to general practice patients. It is suitable for epidemiological studies to detect a broad range of losses and to investigate the prevalence and severity of grief in general practice patients. It is also suitable for comparing the course and severity of grief between losses and identifying commonalities and differences. The interview was found to be an acceptable and valid instrument for undertaking clinical studies. Suggestions for further evaluation of the instruments, and for their uses in grief research and as clinical tools have been proposed. The findings that 2/3 of the general practice population studied were experiencing loss and that over 1/4 of all subjects were suffering moderate or severe grief, demonstrate grief to be a previously unrecognised significant mental health issue for general practice. The most frequently encountered loss categories were 'quality of life', 'death', 'separation' and 'job'. Non-death related losses accounted for 4/5 of all the losses detected. The lack of recognition of grief by subjects was demonstrated, particularly relating to migration and relocation. The hypothesis that loss and grief are under diagnosed and under treated in general practice is supported. This indicates the need for a new paradigm of loss and grief in general practice and for large-scale studies to investigate grief in general practice patients and the detection rate by general practitioners. / Thesis (M.D.)--Department of General Practice, Department of Public Health, 2003.

This study has developed and evaluated two instruments, a questionnaire, the Grief Diagnostic Instrument, and an interview, the Grief Diagnostic Interview to detect and measure the extant state of grief in general practice patients. These instruments investigate grief from past, present and impending death and non-death related losses occurring directly to the patient, as well as caused indirectly through experiencing grief in sympathy with the grief of others. The unique feature of these instruments is that they investigate grief from all losses rather than merely a single loss. The questionnaire was demonstrated to be a concise, valid, reliable and sensitive measure, and acceptable to general practice patients. It is suitable for epidemiological studies to detect a broad range of losses and to investigate the prevalence and severity of grief in general practice patients. It is also suitable for comparing the course and severity of grief between losses and identifying commonalities and differences. The interview was found to be an acceptable and valid instrument for undertaking clinical studies. Suggestions for further evaluation of the instruments, and for their uses in grief research and as clinical tools have been proposed. The findings that 2/3 of the general practice population studied were experiencing loss and that over 1/4 of all subjects were suffering moderate or severe grief, demonstrate grief to be a previously unrecognised significant mental health issue for general practice. The most frequently encountered loss categories were 'quality of life', 'death', 'separation' and 'job'. Non-death related losses accounted for 4/5 of all the losses detected. The lack of recognition of grief by subjects was demonstrated, particularly relating to migration and relocation. The hypothesis that loss and grief are under diagnosed and under treated in general practice is supported. This indicates the need for a new paradigm of loss and grief in general practice and for large-scale studies to investigate grief in general practice patients and the detection rate by general practitioners. / Thesis (M.D.)--Department of General Practice, Department of Public Health, 2003.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-101).

Project/Thesis (D. Min.)--Abilene Christian University, 1998. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-173).

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-116).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 19977. / Includes bibliographical references.