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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this article by Thompson was to specify a method for helping adolescents successfully cope with the death of a peer.
METHODOLOGY:
This article described a method for educators to use in helping students, school staff, and families cope with the student's loss of a peer or sibling due to suicide, homicide, or traffic fatalities. The common reactions to sudden death were described including denial, anger, blaming others or self, guilt, fear, intellectualization, hostility, and unfinished business. Without knowledge of how to deal with these reactions, some people become further traumatized. The characteristics of this post-traumatic stress disorder were defined. The last half of the article described a six-session, one-hour meeting, group (7-10 people) counselling method for helping the survivors improve communication, perform reality-testing on guilt feelings, correct distortions, explore the long-term effects of the death, express anger, and explore feelings of abandonment and social isolation.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The author stated that failure to confront survivor's reactions to the sudden death of a peer or sibling can result in greater problems. Trained administrators, teachers, counselors, or other support personnel can help these young people cope. Most students welcome the opportunity to express their feelings about the death. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - School
KW - Mental Health
KW - Death Rates
KW - Juvenile
KW - Treatment
KW - Grief
KW - Anger |