The DOI matches its Crossref record; 106 of the 109 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Loss, Grief, and the Search for Significance: Toward a Model of Meaning Reconstruction in Bereavement
Abstract
Constructivist theories recently have begun to inform understandings of grief, emphasizing the role of meaning making in adaptation to bereavement. In this article we review empirical studies using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, investigating how three activities of meaning reconstruction are involved in the grieving process: sense making, benefit finding, and identity change. In particular, we consider how critical processes have been operationally defined and how study methods and designs have constrained what can be concluded from this burgeoning field of research. We conclude by positing an integrated model of meaning reconstruction pathways as a heuristic guide to further research and briefly note the implications of this model for clinical practice.
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“In short, Robert Neimeyer and his many collaborators have demonstrated that sudden deaths, like suicides, are shocking and compel individuals to make sense of them, to sift through available meanings as part of the bereavement process (Gillies and Neimeyer, 2006; Neimeyer et al., 2014).”
From The Social Roots of Suicide: Theorizing How the External Social World Matters to Suicide and Suicide Prevention (2021) · cites this paper as Gillies and Neimeyer, 2006
In the citing paper
“Our findings also resonate with the meaning‐centred model of grief (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006) which emphasizes grief as an ongoing process of meaning reconstruction rather than a state to be resolved.”
From "I don't grieve as much as I used to": A qualitative study on parents of children with rare and undiagnosed conditions navigating grief in the context of uncertainty. (2025) · cites this paper as Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006
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“The creation of a legacy often demonstrates a desire to find a way to continue one’s existence beyond death, at least in the memories of others (Coyle 2006, 269), and to give meaning to one’s life and death (Gillies and Neimeyer 2006, 31).”
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Gunter, E. (2014) · ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository (University of Louisville) · doi:10.18297/etd/1707
“Through meaning-making people are often able to find some benefit in the experience, either through personal growth, changed outlook on interpersonal relationships, or support from others (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006).”
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“Gillies and Neimeyer (2006) argued that the existence of continuing bonds can help the bereaved reorganise his or her identity as a survivor.”
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Teques, A. P. (2014) · Gredos (University of Salamanca) · doi:10.14201/gredos.127892
Posttraumatic growth and career calling in undergraduates
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Bukman, M.-J. (2017) · Unisa Institutional Repository (University of South Africa)
Cockshott, C. J. (2016) · University of Liverpool · doi:10.17638/02046259
Yoshida, T. (2012) · JAPANESE JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON EMOTIONS · doi:10.4092/jsre.20.1_1
Keitel, M. A., Lipari, K., & Wertz, H. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-803015-8.00004-8
Not Just a Doll: An Intervention for Elementary School-Aged Children Affected by Grief
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Nishigaki, A., Furuta, M., & Fukushima, T. (2015) · International Journal of Human Culture Studies · doi:10.9748/hcs.2015.324
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“…that what matter’s most in life is a sense of meaning and purpose (as extensively elaborated on in the works of the late psychiatrist Viktor Frankl), bereavement is conceptualized as the process of an active search for meaning in daily life after the loss of a loved one (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006).”
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“As one example, Gillies and Neimeyer (2006) highlighted the importance of sense making, benefit finding, and identity change as critical psychological tasks that support the reconstruction of meaning, as well as one’s overall adaptive response to bereavement.”
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“Therefore, attention is being paid to meaning reconstruction theory (Gillies and Neimeyer 2006, Kawashima 2008) in parenting children with ASD (Yamane 2014, 2015).”
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“Also, the recurrent memories reported by caregivers are in accordance with the meaning reconstruction theoretical model (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006) that emphasizes the importance of fi nding meaning in the caregiving role, the closeness and warm relationship with their loved one, and the lessons…”
", В., Сингаївська, І., ", У. Е. Т. П., КРОК", Берестовська, А., & "КРОК", В. ". Е. Т. П. (2024) · Scientific notes of the UniversityKROK · doi:10.31732/2663-2209-2024-73-214-226
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“The first two themes of greater appreciation of life and realization of the fragility of life are consistent with extant literature about meaning-making and personal growth after a death experience (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006; Tang et al., 2023) and align with Worden’s fourth task of mourning (2018).”
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Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0005
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0008
Ungemah, J. (2024) · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.001.0001
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0004
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0007
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0009
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0010
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0002
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0003
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0001
Ungemah, J. (2024) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197783894.003.0006
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Young Bereaved Siblings of Israeli Security Personnel: Challenges, Coping, and Support
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““ Fighting to fi nd footing in a world that no longer fi ts ” (Armour, 2003, p. 519), the bereaved person needs to make sense — to reconstruct meaning — in the aftermath of the loss (Gillies & Neimeyer, 2006).”
Myer, R. A., Whisenhunt, J. L., & James, R. K. (2025) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781394347407.refs
Metadata
- Authors
- Gillies, J., & Neimeyer, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Forensic Health Services
- University of Memphis (US)
- ORCID
- Neimeyer, Robert A.
- Venue
- Journal of Constructivist Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-01
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-65
- ISSN
- 1072-0537 (ISSN-L)
- 1521-0650
- OpenAlex
- W2026626122
- Cited by
- 678
- References
- 109
- Citations by year
- 2026: 51 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 45 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 12.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Constructivist Psychology (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, bereavement, meaning reconstruction, sensemaking, benefit finding, personal transformation, adaptation to loss, clinical practice implications
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