Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2006. / Advisor: Nicholas Mazza, Florida State University, College of Social Work. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 7, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 124 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Harding University Graduate School of Religion, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-210).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-151). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNR11561

abstract: The current study was a benefit cost analysis that examined mental and behavioral health and prescription drug service use data of 347 participants (212 youth and 135 caregivers) from a bereavement intervention, the Family Bereavement Program (FBP).The preliminary goals of the current study were to compare the FBP intervention and the Literature Control (LC) groups at the six year follow-up on: (a) number of participants using mental/behavioral health services and prescription drugs, (b) the frequency of use of mental/behavioral health services and prescription drugs, and (c) the costs of mental/behavioral health services and prescription drugs. The final, and primary goal, was to (d) calculate the benefits of the FBP by analyzing the monetary difference between the LC and FBP groups in terms of cost of services used and then by applying those benefits to the cost of the intervention. Data representing participating youths' and caregivers' mental health service use and prescription drug use at the sixth year post-intervention were collected, as were the costs of those services. Results indicated that fewer FBP participants used services and prescription drugs than the Literature Control (LC) participants, but FBP participants, particularly the youth, used some low intensity services more frequently whereas the LC youth used more intensive and costly services more frequently. Consequently, service costs were greater for participants in the LC group than for participants in the FBP group. The benefit cost ratio revealed that the FBP, as delivered, saved society between $.15 and $.27 in mental and behavioral health costs for every dollar spent on the intervention. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Family Resources and Human Development 2011

This study constitutes an exploration of the role of the experience of loss in the social processes of meaningmaking - regarding self, other and the world - especially as it applies to therapists. Traditionally a focus on loss has entailed a description of the mourning processes brought about by this inevitable but dreadful event. Here the lens is widened to evolve a description of how the loss experience can contribute to a transformation of a person's sense of her self and of her patterns of relating. This description. rests on a social constructionist understanding of the experience of self. A person's sense(s) of self is seen to evolve within the usual and seemingly predictable patterns of connecting and disconnecting that constitutes the social webs of the discursive communities that people move in. Thus her sense of I is indelibly linked to 'Nho and 'Nhere her Yous are. Indeed, all meaning is proposed to evolve from a template of connection-disconnection patterns. The experience of loss is seen to be able to disrupt these seemingly stable patterns within such a community sufficiently, as to be able to bring about in depth transformation of the meanings evolving from these habits of relating. One nuance of these meanings in transformation, entails a person's sense of her self. Experiences of, and struggles around connection and disconnection are centrally important in the world of therapists. It does not only constitute a basic focus of their 'M)rk, but is also the template in their personal lives that contributes to their O\Ml evolution as therapists. Thus the experience of loss is specifically explored as potentially transformational - on a personal and professional level - in the lives of therapists. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

This thesis is a study of nineteenth century forms of grief and mourning, wlth particular reference to the peculiar pressures of writing to the bereaved, and how these were, or were not, overcome. Although the focus is mainly on the letters of condolence and on the poems of Tennyson, and the novels, journalism and letters of condolence of Dickens, use is also made of letters by the following: Thomas Carlyle, Edward FitzGerald, Benjamin Jowett, Cardinal Newman, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Queen Victoria. Letters of condolence to Henry Hallam after the death of his son, Arthur, (given in appendix from unpublished originals in Christ Church College Library, Oxford), and also letters of condolence to George Eliot, are also studied. Twentieth century psychological studies of bereavement by Freud (Mourning and Melancholia [1917]), Eric Lindemann (Symptomology of Grief, [1944]) Geoffrey Gorer (Death and Bereavement in Contemporary Britain [1965]), and by Colin Murray Parkes (Bereavement; studies of grief in adult life [1986]), serve to identify common and universal features of the processes of grief and mourning. Correspondence about Arthur Hallam's life and death, and about the exhumation of Rossetti's poems, show how the language with which death and grief is treated in letters, is fraught with difficulties. This thesis establishes a link between the language of fiction, poetry and letters, and between the conventions of expressing sympathetic grief in the form of condolences, and Victorian conventions of funerals and mourning, as found in fiction, letters, art criticism, Dickens' journalism, a publication for undertakers, and in the monuments at Highgate Cemetery. Delineating the fears which faced a condoler, reveals the common awareness that words of comfort can seem useless and empty. It is also seen that in the Victorian age, the conventions of grief and mourning were felt to have separated from the sentiment within. This felt inadequacy had serious implicatlons for the writer of a letter of condolence. This thesis identifies the feeling which many condolers shared: that words of comfort seemed merely comnonplace and formalised, and were therefore unable to convey sincerity, or to mark particularity. That writing cannot fully record the modulations of a voice, or convey action, presents a writer of a letter of condolence with a further difficulty. Words already felt to be commonpLace or conventional, might seem dead on the page, without voice or gesture. This thesis delineates the conventions and conmonplaces of funerals, of mourning, and of letters of condolence, as a problem which is ever-renewed. Close readings of Tennyson's letters of condolence and of 'In Memoriam' are provided, in order to establish how, in particular contrast to Dickens, Tennyson was able to resurrect such comnonplaces. A study of 'Our Mutual Friend' and of Dickens' letters of condolence shows how, Dickens seeks to deny the anguish of grief. Whereas Dickens is confident and certain about his power to condole and about hls views of an after-life, Tennyson is hesitant and reticent. Whereas Dickens seeks to rouse and be heartfelt, Tennyson is cautious.

No description available.

M.A. / This study explores the grief experiences of young adult siblings in the aftermath of murder. This research was motivated, firstly, by the perceived lack of focus on siblings, often referred to as the ‘disenfranchised grievers’ and, secondly, by the vulnerability of the young adult population who bear the scars of South Africa’s high levels of crime and violence. Three young adults were recruited to participate in interviews, in which they described their lived experience of loss. Data collection and the analysis were guided by a phenomenological research design resulting in the identification of five major themes: 1) Shock, disbelief and horror, 2) Intent and rage, 3) Recollecting and withdrawal, 4) Rupture and fragmentation, and 5) Resilience, healing and growth. These themes are discussed in relation to the research literature on sibling grief and homicide bereavement. In the concluding chapter, the key strengths and limitations of this study are reviewed and the implications of the findings of this research for further investigations are discussed

Background: This thesis stemmed from my experience as a hospice social worker. In this role I was aware that children were often excluded from conversation, education and support about death, dying and bereavement and was keen to explore how the Hospice team could address this issue. My practice experience paralleled UK policy making on end-of-life care, which argued for discourse on death, dying and bereavement to be promoted in the community to help prevent negative end-oflife and bereavement experiences (Scottish Government 2008; Department of Health 2008; Department of Health 2010). In Scotland, engaging with schools to equip children with skills and knowledge to cope with death and bereavement has been emphasised (Scottish Government 2010). These policy movements recognise the significance of public health approaches to end-of-life care, which focus on the multi-dimensional (physical, psychological and social) nature of problems and required solutions. Recently, such approaches have been gaining recognition concerning their contribution to end-of-life care. It has been suggested that hospices are well situated to promote such activities due to their expertise in end-of-life care (Salau et al. 2007). Aim and objectives: This thesis aimed to explore, implement and evaluate models of best practice in which hospices and schools can work in partnership to promote education and support around death, dying and bereavement from a health promotion perspective. It specifically sought to increase understanding about current practice in primary schools related to death, dying and bereavement and develop practice knowledge about the role of the Hospice in working with school communities to enhance such work. Methods: The research was facilitated in two primary schools in Scotland, using collaborative inquiry within an action research methodology. It was conducted over three phases. Phase one (preparation and scoping) involved a literature review, visits to other hospices and focus groups with hospice staff. Phase two (exploration) included a series of interviews and focus groups with children aged 9 – 12 years, parents and schools staff to develop collaborative inquiry and engage in a process of change. Phase three (planning and developing) comprised of deciding and advancing models of practice. Findings: Practice innovations were identified at each school that were of relevance to the school curriculum, the relationship between hospices and school communities, and the relationship between hospices and the wider society more generally. These innovations can be understood as health promoting palliative care activities, as defined by Kellehear (2005), due to the process in which they were designed and their focus on developing capacity to respond to death, dying and bereavement. Conclusion: The action research process identified the significance of sharing and transferring knowledge across and between hospice and school communities. It demonstrated that hospices have unique capacity to develop conversation, education and support around death, dying and bereavement in school communities. In order to fulfil this potential role, this will require a reorientation of service delivery that focuses on wider training, support, awareness raising and advocacy. The study has also demonstrated that action research is well situated to develop health promoting palliative care activities according to the shared goals of participation, ownership and empowerment.

The author was stunned by the way in which justice in Mvenyane village in the district of Matatiele system handled a case of rape which led to murder. The rapist and the murder was caught by community members and brought the police officers but no rape and murder charges were laid against the suspect for that particular case. Family members and relative of deceased including the community members were traumatised by the action surrounding the rape and murder case .The author is trying to find possible pastoral care way when people are going through the turmoil as a result of murder which occurs after rape. The author saw it necessary to journey with the bereaved family and relative in a pastoral care way. The methods used in a study Charles Gerkins method of Shepherding and Nick Pollards method of positive construction. Although some fingers were pointing on the police officers on the way they handled the case, the author find it later that police officers are working under certain restriction under the department of justice. Family members and relatives should make that their case of rape and murder are reported directly to the police officers to be sure that these case are investigated .There should be traumatic and pastoral counsellors who should work to heal the bereaved families and affected community members after murder case in the communities. / Dissertation (MA Theol)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Practical Theology / unrestricted