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“Social Work Interventions with Families in Bereavement”

Presented at DYUTI - National seminar at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences.

DR SANDEEP K ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

MSW e-mail: sandeep_msw@staloysius.edu.in

www.staloysius.edu.in

“Social Work Interventions with Families

in Bereavement”

• Plentiful dynamics in human life

between first cry to last breath !

• “our existence creates impact on others” : verity of impact based on the relationship

Definition

• Bereavement can be defined as “thoughts, feelings and actions followed by the death of loved one”

• “Bereavement is the emotional and behavioural response to loss”

• “ALWAYS”- Loved one is too young to die

• “Death of loved one” leaves every human being in deeper challenge, “challenge in managing rest of life span without him/her (deceased)”

Theories

• Sigmund Freud : Six propositions to grief work as described by Freud

• Parkes makes note of the antecedent (life span) , concurrent and subsequent factors that help shape an individual response to bereavement support

• Kubler - Ross explained stage theory

A study was conducted in three talukas (Tumkur, Gubbi, Kunigal) of Tumkur district on

“Bereavement and Coping Mechanism Among Spouse of the Deceased”

Sampling: People who lost their spouse in specific period were interviewed.

Totally 215 respondents were interviewed. Out of 215 respondents 179 are female respondents and 36 are male respondents.

Reaction of gathered individuals who appeared

to submit their last tribute to deceased

Need of interventions by specialized social work professionals

20.1 13.9

67.0

27.8

12.9

58.3

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

Res

po

nd

ents

(%

)

Yes No Don't Know

Prone to illness due to the death of spouse

Bereaved wife Bereaved Husband

Support system by bereavement support system (social work interventions)

• Visit bereaved

• Listen to the bereaved

• Provide a meal for the family

• Make a list of tasks you can perform and give it to the grieving person

• Identify another person in the family who can reestablish the claim of esteem of family in the society

Suggestions / Contributions