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SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING OF MEANING: GRIEF THERAPY AND THE PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A comprehensive quantitative review of published randomized controlled outcome studies of grief counseling and therapy suggests that such interventions are typically ineffective, and perhaps even deleterious, at least for persons experiencing a normal bereavement. On the other hand, there is some evidence that grief therapy is more beneficial and safer for those who have been traumatically bereaved. Beginning with this sobering appraisal, this article considers the findings of C.G. Davis, C.B. Wortman, D.R. Lehman, and R.C. Silver (this issue) and their implications for a meaning reconstruction approach to grief therapy, arguing that an expanded conception of meaning is necessary to provide a stronger basis for clinical intervention.
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“In a meta-analysis by Wittouck et al. (2011), preventive interventions did not appear effective in reducing the probability of developing PGD, and a growing body of research even show interventions aimed at addressing natural grief reactions to be contraindicated (e.g., Bonanno and Lilienfeld, 2008; Neimeyer, 2000).”
From Prevalence of prolonged grief disorder in adult bereavement: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2017) · cites this paper as Neimeyer, 2000
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Santis, M. D. (2015) · Middlesex University Research Repository (Middlesex University Of London)
Sipilä, A. (2013) · Tampere University Institutional Repository (Tampere University)
Metadata
- Authors
- Neimeyer, R. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Memphis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Neimeyer, Robert A.
- ORCID
- Neimeyer, Robert A.
- Venue
- Death Studies
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2000-09
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 541-558
- ISSN
- 0748-1187 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-7683
- OpenAlex
- W1992201969
- Cited by
- 591
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 12.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Death Studies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- grief therapy, bereavement, meaning reconstruction, meaning of life, traumatic bereavement, grief counseling, treatment effectiveness
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Counseling, Existentialism, Grief, Humans, Psychotherapy
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