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Some observations on the process of mourning.
1New York Presbyterian Hospital, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, New York, NY 10605, USA. okernber@med.cornell.edu
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|July 2, 2010
Summary
Mourning involves lasting psychological changes, not just temporary grief. This study reveals how loss permanently alters internal object relations and ego functions, impacting life significantly.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalytic Theory
- Grief Studies
Background:
- Traditional views suggest mourning resolves within 6 months to 2 years.
- Previous literature has not fully addressed the long-term structural impacts of grief.
Observation:
- Mourning can lead to permanent alterations in psychological structures.
- These changes affect multiple facets of an individual's life post-loss.
Findings:
- Mourning establishes a persistent internalized object relationship with the deceased.
- This relationship impacts ego and superego functions, including identification with the lost object.
- Superego modification involves internalizing the deceased's values and life goals, fostering spiritual orientation.
Implications:
- Understanding long-term grief impacts is crucial for therapeutic interventions.
- The study highlights the profound and enduring psychological restructuring following loss.
- Recognizing the spiritual dimension of grief offers new avenues for support and understanding.
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