3.1 Compare models of loss and grief

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care Optional Units
Unit: Unit 385 Understand how to provide support when working in end of life care
Learning outcome: 3 Understand an individual’s response to their anticipated death
Assessment criteria: 3.1 Compare models of loss and grief

• Models of loss and grief include:
  • Kübler-Ross: 5 Stages of Grief Model (1969)
    1. Denial
    2. Anger
    3. Bargaining
    4. Depression
    5. Acceptance
  • Worden: 4 tasks of Mourning (1989)
    1. Acceptance of loss
    2. Acknowledging/experiencing the pain of the loss
    3. Adjusting to a new environment
    4. Reinvesting in the reality of a new life
  • Stroebe & Schute: Dual Process Model of Grief (1999)
    • Individuals switch/oscilliate between two states
      1. Loss-oriented – thinking about the loss, crying, reminiscing etc.
      2. Restoration-oriented – carrying on with day-to-day tasks, denial, avoidance, distraction etc.
• Kübler-Ross describes the range of the strong emotional feelings associated with loss and understanding of why some emotions and behaviours may manifest
• Worden reminds us that we should give individuals time to learn to move on from loss
• Stroebe & Schute can help us to understand why individuals may fluctuate from sadness to seemingly ‘okay’
• All individuals are different and will process grief and loss differently – these models will not accurately describe what an individual goes through in an exact sequence