Question

Which finding indicates the successful completion of an individual's grieving process?

a. For 2 years, a person has kept the deceased spouse's belongings in their usual places.
b. After 15 months, a widowed person realistically remembers both the pleasures and disappointments of the relationship with the spouse.
c. Three years after the death, a person talks about the spouse as if the spouse were still alive and weeps when others mention the spouse's name.
d. Eighteen months after the spouse's death, a person says, I never cry or have feelings of loss even though we were always very close.

Answer 1

The successful completion of the grieving process is suggested by option b, which implies the individual has reached acceptance, indicating emotional healing. Kübler-Ross's model outlines five stages of grief, but one's path through these stages can vary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The successful completion of an individual's grieving process is indicated by option b: After 15 months, a widowed person realistically remembers both the pleasures and disappointments of the relationship with the spouse. This suggests that the person has moved through the stages of grief and reached acceptance, recognizing the reality of the loss and remembering the relationship in a balanced way, which is a sign of emotional healing.

Kü;bler-Ross's model of grief identifies five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Not everyone follows these stages in order, and some may experience them differently or skip stages entirely. Nevertheless, the general sequence helps professionals understand and support those in grief.

It is important to note that individuals experience and process grief differently. For some, overcoming despair might involve remarriage, or they may find solace in spirituality or community support. What remains critical is acknowledging the emotional reactions of loss and employing empathy when interacting with individuals coping with grief.