A micro-sociological theory of adjustment to loss

Although grief is a reaction to a social loss, it has been viewed almost exclusively through the lens of individual psychology and not sociology. In this article, we suggest that more attention to sociological aspects of grief is warranted. We propose a micro-sociological theory of bereavement and grief to complement, not replace, psychological perspectives. We assert that bereavement represents a state of loss-associated social deprivations (e.g. social disconnection). Furthermore, we postulate that addressing social deprivations (e.g. enhancing social connection) will lessen severity of distressing, disabling grief and, thereby, promote adjustment to loss. Future research is needed to test our theory and the hypotheses that follow from it in the service of promoting adaptation to bereavement.