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Published on: February 16, 2011
Ambiguous loss from chronic physical illness: clinical interventions with individuals, couples, and families
Pauline Boss1, Barbara A Couden
1Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108-6140, USA. pboss@che.umn.edu
Abstract:
The theory of ambiguous loss is applied to chronic illness in individuals, couples, and families. Lack of clarity about prognosis, daily physical condition, and fluctuating capabilities create relationship confusion, preoccupation with the illness, or avoidance of the ill individual. Immobilization, depression, and relationship collapse may occur in response to features of chronic illness over which there is no control. A case study illustrates helpful therapeutic interventions for couples and families with chronically ill members.
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