Citation

Alves D, Fernandez-Navarro P, Ribeiro AP, Ribeiro E, Sousa I, Gonçalves MM. Death Stud. 2015; 40(2): 129-138.

Affiliation

a School of Psychology , University of Minho , Braga , Portugal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2015.1102177

PMID

26466743

Abstract

This paper explores the role of ambivalence in grief therapy within a narrative framework. From this perspective, change starts with the occurrence of Innovative Moments, which can be nullified by reaffirmation of the problematic self-narrative as a sign of ambivalence. This study analyzed ambivalence in six complicated grief cases using the "Return to the Problem Coding System". Markers of ambivalence emerged in all cases, with a decreasing profile in cases with greater symptomatic improvement, suggesting an association between clinical change and ambivalence evolution in therapy. Addressing ambivalence may bring to light important aspects of client's self-reconstruction after a major loss.

Language: en