Charles A. Corr

A Task-Based Approach to Coping with Dying:

This article proposes a task-based approach for understanding and explicating coping with dying. Four primary dimensions of coping with dying are outlined (the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual). These dimensions define four primary areas of task work in coping with dying. In addition, an argument is offered as to why this task-based approach should be adopted. That argument depends on remarks about the nature of coping and an analysis of four advantages that apply to a task-based approach (improved understanding, empowerment, participation, and guidance for helpers).

Coping with Dying: Lessons That We Should and Should Not Learn from the Work of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.

Abstract This article begins from an appraisal of the work of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the area of coping with dying. In that appraisal, some reason are noted as to why we should not consider her stage-based model to be the heart of the useful lessons that she taught. Instead, three lessons are suggested that we can and should learn from the work of Kubler-Ross on coping with dying. Three further elements round out this exposition: 1) some broader conclusions are drawn about the processes involved in coping with dying; 2) an argument is offered on behalf of our need to develop better theoretical models to explicate what is involved in coping with dying; and 3) some requirements are suggested that should be satisfied by any adequate model in this field.

Enhancing the Concept of Disenfranchised Grief

Doka (1989a, p. 4) defined disenfranchised grief as “the grief that persons experience when they incur a loss that is not or cannot be openly acknowledged, publicly mourned, or socially supported.” He suggested that disenfranchisement can apply to unrecognized relationships, losses, or grievers, as well as to certain types of deaths. This article contends that disenfranchisement in bereavement may have a potentially broader scope than has been hitherto recognized. That claim is defended by exploring further the implications of disenfranchisement and by suggesting ways in which certain understandings or misunderstandings of the dynamic qualities of grief, mourning, and their outcomes may be open to disenfranchisement or may participate in disenfranchisement. The aims of this argument are to enhance the concept of disenfranchised grief in itself and to deepen appreciation of the full range of all that is or can be experienced in bereavement.

Strengthening Grief Support for Adolescents Coping with a Peer's Death.

This article offers suggestions for strengthening school-based grief support following an adolescent’s death. Such interventions must be considered within the context of: (a) development during adolescence; (b) the role of peers in adolescent development; and (c) the fact that an adolescent peer’s death is a non-normative life crisis in developed countries. Review of those three topics leads to an overview of death during adolescence; an exploration of adolescent bereavement, grief, and mourning; consideration of disenfranchised grief in relation to an adolescent peer’s death; and an integration of this foundational knowledge in supporting bereaved adolescents within a school setting.

BEREAVEMENT, GRIEF, AND MOURNING IN DEATH-RELATED LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN

In preparing a series of annotated bibliographies on death-related literature for children and adolescents (Corr, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003a, 2003b), it became evident that this literature discusses topics related to bereavement, grief, and mourning in a variety of ways. That should not be surprising, since much of this literature was written to help children cope with experiences of death and loss. What is surprising, however, is the apparent absence of formal studies of bereavement issues in this body of literature in the major professional journals in the field of dying, death, and bereavement. This article is an initial attempt at rectifying that apparent gap in attention. It is also an effort to stimulate increased appreciation of these and other noteworthy aspects of death-related literature written to be read by or with children.

Education About Death, Dying, and Bereavement in Nursing Programs

The authors report the results of a March 1992 survey of 650 baccalaureate nursing education programs concerning the education that they provide in the area of death, dying, and bereavement. The survey inquired about death education content in the curriculum, theoretic models, and whether organ/tissue donation is addressed. Results indicate that many schools are using outdated models. The authors suggest ways to address these issues more adequately.

A model syllabus for death and dying courses

Abstract Death and dying courses have recently experienced very rapid proliferation. Such exuberant growth suggests the value of a pause to examine the strengths and the weaknesses of such courses. Our aim should be to try to minimize weaknesses, and to attempt to consolidate and to develop strengths. The present article seeks to contribute to an ongoing dialog on this subject by outlining a model syllabus for a broad-scale, introductory course on death and dying.

Adult hospice day care

This article describes the concept of adult hospice day care, argues that programs of adult hospice day care can be an important adjunct to home care and inpatient care, and provides a concrete illustration of ways in which a typical program of adult hospice day care might be implemented.

Understanding Bereavement, Grief, and Mourning: Implications for Donation and Transplant Professionals:

This article surveys recent literature on bereavement, grief, and mourning. It offers a review of the state of the art of current understandings of those topics to assist professionals who work in the field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The articles goal is to provide well-developed and up-to-date education and knowledge about bereavement, grief, and mourning to supplement the natural skills and experience of donation and transplant professionals in their work with bereaved persons.

Dying and its Interpreters: A Review of Selected Literature and Some Comments on the State of the Field:

What have been the major theoretical approaches that have been useful in the study of dying to date? What theoretical approaches hold promise for the future? Selected literature on dying and coping with dying is reviewed in an effort to describe the present state of our knowledge in this field and to contribute to an overall theory of dying. Three central topics are 1) awareness of and communication about dying; 2) processes of illness; and 3) coping with dying. Reflections are offered on the kinds[s] of theory that might be desirable in this field, together with a number of lessons that can be drawn from the existing literature. A continued exploration of the ways that theoretical perspectives from psychology and sociology such as developmental theory, Symbolic lnteractionism, or Reconstructism can lead to greater understanding of the dying process.