The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
Searching for the Meaning of Meaning: Grief Therapy and the Process of Reconstruction
Authors:
Neimeyer, Robert A.
Source:
Death Studies: 2000. Volume 24, pp. 541-558.
Summary
This article surveys existing studies regarding the effectiveness of bereavement interventions. The author reviewed 23 separate studies that compared the results of bereavement interventions with control groups. The studies reflected diverse types of losses, diverse interventions, and diverse measurements of outcomes. The analysis failed to show strong positive effects from bereavement programs. However, the subset of participants who had experienced traumatic bereavement did show a substantial positive effect as a result of interventions. The author suggests that much more work needs to be done with regard to interventions for bereavement and to the development of measurements that reflect adjustment to bereavement. Specifically, the author states that assisting those who are experiencing traumatic loss to construct a new meaning to life following the death may be crucial to adjustment.
Key words: effective, intervention, meaning, research
Service Provider Implications
It is important for service providers to be aware of the debates and controversies surrounding the efficacy of bereavement interventions. It is also important for clinicians to ensure that programs are appropriately designed for individuals who need help. A significant theme that has emerged from the research is that individuals who have experienced a traumatic loss can benefit from help in developing meaning related to the loss.
