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Handling bodies after violent death: strategies for coping
J E McCarroll1, R J Ursano, K M Wright
1Department of Military Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D.C.
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Coping with violent death scenes involves avoidance, denial, and social support. These strategies, observed in personnel working with deceased individuals, aid in managing challenging work environments.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
- Thanatology
Background:
- Personnel working with deceased individuals face unique psychological stressors.
- Understanding coping mechanisms is crucial for supporting mental well-being in these roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify coping strategies used by personnel before, during, and after working with bodies of violently deceased individuals.
- To explore differences in coping between experienced and inexperienced personnel.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with personnel.
- Observational data collection on personnel's work with deceased individuals.
- Analysis of coping strategies across different work phases (before, during, after).
Main Results:
- Avoidance and denial were identified as key coping strategies.
- Social support from work groups and spouses significantly facilitated coping.
- Both experienced and inexperienced personnel utilized these strategies.
Conclusions:
- Avoidance, denial, and social support are effective coping mechanisms for personnel handling violent death scenes.
- Findings suggest potential targets for therapeutic interventions to support affected personnel.