Citation

Barlé N, Wortman CB, Latack JA. J. Psychother. Integr. 2017; 27(2): 127-139.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Educational Publishing Foundation)

DOI

10.1037/int0000013

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Losing a loved one suddenly or under traumatic circumstances often leaves survivors completely overwhelmed, their lives fundamentally changed. Survivors experience what is termed traumatic bereavement, which is associated with enduring symptoms of trauma, such as intrusive thoughts, and of grief, such as yearning for the loved one. Research has found that in most cases, the symptoms associated with traumatic loss are significantly more intense and prolonged than those following a natural death. They are also more pervasive, affecting virtually all aspects of the survivor's life. Moreover, it has also been found that survivors of traumatic loss often have difficulty accepting what has happened, struggle with issues surrounding responsibility and guilt, question their religious beliefs, worry that their loved one may have suffered, and live in fear that they or someone in their family will also die. In this article, we review basic research on the domains of life affected by a traumatic loss and the risk factors that heighten survivors' vulnerability to traumatic bereavement. We then describe a comprehensive treatment approach, which is based on the available research on traumatic bereavement, specifically developed for survivors of sudden, traumatic loss. The treatment involves 3 critical components: building resources, processing trauma, and facilitating mourning. © 2015 American Psychological Association.

Language: en

Keywords

Risk factors associated with traumatic bereavement; Trauma and loss; Traumatic bereavement; Traumatic grief; Treatment of traumatic bereavement