A Review of the Literature on Three Types of Disenfranchised Grief ...

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papers like Aloi's, as well as empirical studies on <strong>the</strong> disenfranchisement <strong>of</strong>birthmo<strong>the</strong>r grief would be extremely helpful for increasing awareness and informing service providers. Important <strong>the</strong>mes to explore include shame due to real or imagined disapproval from o<strong>the</strong>rs, guilt about <strong>the</strong> decision to relinquish, and <strong>the</strong> ways in which shame and guilt contribute to disenfranchisement and a general lack <strong>of</strong> social support. More empirical studies are also needed to help identify and explore <strong>the</strong> social difficulties and conflicting emotions that surviving ex-spouses experience, and how <strong>the</strong>se serve to complicate and disenfranchise <strong>the</strong>ir grief. For example, it would be beneficial to examine <strong>the</strong> way variables such as <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> divorce, <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> children, and <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> new spouses affect <strong>the</strong> intensity <strong>of</strong> subsequent, post-death grief. Ano<strong>the</strong>r potential area <strong>of</strong> investigation includes exploring how ambivalent emotions and perceptions about social appropriateness affect <strong>the</strong> griever's willingness and ability to participate in mourning rituals, and what variables contribute to <strong>the</strong> griever experiencing mourning rituals as meaningful, helpful, or comforting. It should be noted that although research on <strong>the</strong> disenfranchisement <strong>of</strong> grieving grandparents, birthmo<strong>the</strong>rs, and ex-spouses is extremely important, fur<strong>the</strong>r study <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r types <strong>of</strong> disenfranchised grief situations is also crucial. Doka's two anthologies (1989; 2002) are helpful references for exploring o<strong>the</strong>r common instances <strong>of</strong> disenfranchised grief. Conclusions As we have seen, <strong>the</strong>re is a shortage <strong>of</strong> empirical research on <strong>the</strong> various types <strong>of</strong> disenfranchised grief. Additional research on <strong>the</strong> subject is important because it would allow service providers to tailor <strong>the</strong>ir approach to <strong>the</strong> unique needs <strong>of</strong> disenfranchised grievers. Providing disenfranchised grievers with <strong>the</strong> recognition and attention <strong>the</strong>y deserve is essential in 38
order to minimize <strong>the</strong>ir disenfranchisement and assist <strong>the</strong>m in fully grieving <strong>the</strong>ir loss. With acknowledgement and support, disenfranchised grievers will be able to fully experience both <strong>the</strong>ir grief and <strong>the</strong> healing process. 39
Page 2 and 3: Author: Davidson, Hannah M. The Gra
Page 4 and 5: The Graduate School University <str
Page 6 and 7: Chapter I: Introduction There are c
Page 8 and 9: 2. Loss not acknowledged: losses ar
Page 10 and 11: among the emotions
Page 12 and 13: disenfranchised grief situation fal
Page 14 and 15: Introduction to Grandparent Grief C
Page 16 and 17: Another important
Page 18 and 19: socially defined roles, rituals, an
Page 20 and 21: coined, Gyulay seemed to have recog
Page 22 and 23: contribute to feelings of</
Page 24 and 25: of worse because y
Page 26 and 27: onding with their
Page 28 and 29: Introduction to Grief of</s
Page 30 and 31: Doka (1986) found that the<
Page 32 and 33: Many bereaved ex-spouses repOli fee
Page 34 and 35: participants had attended t
Page 36 and 37: McRoy, Grotevant, & Bryant, 1997).
Page 40 and 41: References Aloi, 1.A. (2009). Nursi
Page 42 and 43: Hyrkas, K., Kaunonen, M., & Paunone

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