The myth of closure
1Department of Family Social Science, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA. pboss@umn.edu
Family Process
|December 13, 2012
Summary
Ambiguous loss, unlike traditional grief, lacks closure and is open-ended. Therapies should focus on finding meaning amidst uncertainty, rather than seeking an endpoint for grief.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Therapy
- Grief Studies
Background:
- Traditional grief therapies aim for closure, an endpoint to the grieving process.
- Many individuals experience ambiguous loss, characterized by unclear circumstances and a lack of finality.
- This type of loss prevents traditional grieving work and achieving closure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore therapeutic approaches for ambiguous loss that moves beyond the concept of closure.
- To help individuals find meaning and increase tolerance for ambiguity in the face of unresolved loss.
- To encourage professionals to become more comfortable with unanswered questions in grief counseling.
Main Methods:
- A unique interdisciplinary approach blending theory, personal reflection, and poetry.
- Experiential self-reflection on the nature of ambiguous loss.
- Drawing on the expertise of a family therapist and a poet.
Main Results:
- Ambiguous loss is inherently open-ended and defies traditional notions of closure.
- Therapeutic goals should shift from closure to finding meaning despite uncertainty.
- Increased tolerance for ambiguity is key for families experiencing such loss.
Conclusions:
- Professionals must first become comfortable with ambiguity to effectively guide clients through ambiguous loss.
- The study offers a new perspective on grief therapy, emphasizing meaning-making over finality.
- Poetry and reflection can deepen self-understanding in navigating unresolved loss.
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