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.
Grief and the Separation of Home and Work
Authors:
Walter, Tony
Source:
Death Studies: 2009, 33(5), pp. 402-410.
Summary
This article summarizes the advantages and disadvantages for mourners of the separation that exists between work and home in modern society. The author uses three bereavement theories (reminder theory, the dual process model, and the construction of continuing bonds) to identify benefits and drawbacks of the separation between work and home. The reminder theory suggests that while mourners may benefit from being around others who knew the deceased, it may not be beneficial for some mourners to be constantly reminded of the deceased. The separation of work and home allows these mourners the chance to escape to a neutral environment. From the perspective of the dual process model of grieving, in which the griever oscillates between a loss/emotion-focused orientation and a restoration-focused orientation, the separation of work and home provides a natural opportunity to engage in the oscillation between the two orientations. It is possible, however, that the oscillations required by the individual’s work schedule do not match the timing of the individual’s emotional and cognitive needs. From the perspective of continuing bonds, the separation of work and home may make the construction of bonds more difficult, because so much of the individual’s time may be spent with others who did not know the deceased. One the other hand, the constant presence of others who are also grieving the deceased may have the disadvantage of presenting conflicts about the right way to mourn and to memorialize the deceased. The author concludes that mourning is complex and each person’s grief journey will likely be unique.
Key Words: dual process, bond, oscillate, orientation
Service Provider Implications
The author of this article reminds service providers of the advantages and disadvantages that modern day mourners may experience as their mourning takes place within an urban environment in which work and home are separate for most people.
