Question

According to the psychoanalytic theory, loss is particularly threatening to older adults if:

A: It only involves a loss within the past 5 years
B: It involves the loss of a spouse
C: It evokes strong unresolved grief over a childhood loss
D: None of the above

Answer 1

According to psychoanalytic theory, loss is particularly threatening to older adults if it evokes strong unresolved grief over a childhood loss. This concept underlines the importance of resolving past emotional experiences to prevent complicated grief reactions later in life. option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to psychoanalytic theory, loss is particularly threatening to older adults if: C: It evokes strong unresolved grief over a childhood loss. Psychoanalytic theory, which has its roots in the work of Sigmund Freud, suggests that unresolved psychological issues from earlier stages of development can resurface later in life. In the context of loss, if an older adult experiences a new loss that triggers emotions linked to an earlier, unresolved loss, particularly from childhood, it can be especially difficult to cope with.

This response to loss is not limited to the elderly, as people of all ages may experience intensified grief when a current loss reminds them of a past one. Psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the importance of resolving earlier emotional experiences to avoid such complicated emotional reactions later in life.

Engaging with the stages of grief, such as those defined by Elisabeth Kü(ossier-Ross (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance), allows individuals to work through and resolve their grief. Research has also shown that factors like religious or spiritual beliefs can provide additional support and coping mechanisms for those dealing with loss.