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What Is The Impact Of Individuals Experiencing Grief On The Emotional, Psychological,

and Social Well-being of Those Around Them?

Jodens Monereau

Park University
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What Is The Impact Of Individuals Experiencing Grief On The Emotional, Psychological,

and Social Well-being of Those Around Them?

Grief is not something that can easily be understood and at times very hard to

comprehend. There are many factors that go into a person's grief, some more complicated than

others. While there are many studies and articles out there that give insight on how to battle with

grief, few talk about how to deal with a brevaded person and even fewer talk about the toll that it

takes on you. As you prepare to deal with a bereaved person, there are a few things you need to

know and understand. Although you may have somewhat of a basic understanding of the

grieving process, what is discussed in these literature reviews, helps give more of a clarity on

what to expect and ultimately how it will impact your emotional, psychological, and social

well-being.

Emotional Contagion: A Brief Overview and Future Directions

This literature review, written by Carolina Herrando, discusses the concept of emotional

contagion: what it is and how it affects individuals. Emotional contagion refers to the

phenomenon where individuals unconsciously mimic the emotions of others around them.

Essentially, it's the process by which emotions are transferred from one person to another,

leading to the synchronization of emotional states within a group or social setting (Herrando &

Constantinides, 2021). This can occur through various channels, including facial expressions,

body language, tone of voice, and even through virtual interactions like social media. Herrando

delves into the details as she examines how emotional contagion correlates with a person's

behavioral reactions, physiological responses, and neurological reactions. She explains how a

person's emotional state can impact another person's state and ultimately lead that individual to

make the same decisions, react the same way, and feel the same emotions as the initial person.
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This understanding is crucial, especially when dealing with a bereaved person whose emotions

may be overwhelming. It's possible to experience emotional contagion, where the bereaved

person's sadness transfers to you, even if you're not the one grieving, causing you to feel the

weight of it. In such situations, your office space may feel as if it has a gloomy cloud hanging

over it, as the emotions of the bereaved person affect everyone through emotional contagion.

Therefore, it's essential to grasp this concept and understand how it can impact you

psychologically.

Bereavement theory: Recent developments in our understanding of grief and bereavement

In this literature review, Christopher Hall challenges the traditional norms of grief and its

stages, arguing that the standard five stages of grief do not accurately describe how individuals

mourn and heal. He contends that stage models fail to address the multiplicity of physical,

psychological, social, and spiritual needs experienced by bereaved individuals, their families, and

intimate networks (Hall, 2014). Hall believes that grief cannot be simply categorized, and the

notion of "letting go" is harmful. By creating stages for grief, one expects it to be something

transient rather than a process of healing. Moreover, Hall emphasizes that certain losses, such as

suicide, the loss of a child, unexpected deaths, or those involving violence or trauma, pose

significant challenges for the bereaved, potentially disenfranchising them and complicating the

bereavement experience (Hall, 2014). He urges those assisting bereaved individuals to recognize

their unique reactions, needs, and challenges, advocating for an approach that considers

individuals and their families coping with loss on an individual basis (Hall, 2014). Hall also

suggests using the Task-Based Model developed by Worden (2008) when dealing with bereaved

individuals. Worden proposes that grieving should be viewed as an active process involving

engagement with four tasks: accepting the reality of the loss, processing the pain of grief,
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adjusting to a world without the deceased (including internal, external, and spiritual

adjustments), and finding an enduring connection with the deceased while embarking on a new

life. Additionally, Worden identifies seven critical factors to understand the client's experience,

including who the deceased was, the nature of the attachment to the deceased, how the person

died, historical antecedents, personality variables, social mediators, and concurrent stressors.

Hall's primary focus is to advocate for treating bereaved individuals differently from traditional

norms, thereby mediating the toll it can take on individuals assisting in the grieving process.

Managing Grief and Its Phases

This text by Carlo V. Bellieni discusses other forms of grief and times where clinical

intervention may be needed. Bellieni explains pathological grief as grief that occurs when

depressive symptoms persist for an extended period after a loss, potentially leading to emotional

problems or psychopathological disorders(Bellieni, 2023). Properly addressing grief through

social, familial, and personal expression of emotions, as well as engaging in rituals, can prevent

the development of pathological grief and facilitate natural grief processes. Symptoms of

pathological grief include prolonged feelings of guilt and self-reproach, as well as inappropriate

anger that may manifest as a desire for revenge(Bellieni, 2023). Western societies' emphasis on

forced happiness can hinder the healthy expression of grief, leading to denial and repression of

emotions. Bellieni also talks about complicated grief, discussing how it affects about 7% of

bereaved individuals, involves persistent rumination about the circumstances of the death and

excessive avoidance of reminders of the loss, requiring intervention and support from

clinicians(Bellieni, 2023). Bellieni also discusses communicating with depressed children or

parents, emphasizing the distinction between grief and major depressive disorder. It highlights

the importance of recognizing grief and depression separately, as their symptoms and impacts
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differ. The experience of loss is explored, with an emphasis on seeking meaning and

reconstructing new purposes. However, the journey of grief can lead to a sense of self-loss,

helplessness, and emotional anguish, making it challenging to establish supportive relationships.

The risk of suicide, especially in severe depressive episodes, is also addressed. Additionally,

interventions aimed at families and caregivers are discussed, emphasizing the need for education,

support, and self-awareness among caregivers assisting individuals with depression.

In conclusion, these texts offer various perspectives on understanding grief and its impact

on bereaved individuals. It is crucial to recognize the influence of Emotional Contagion and how

the mood and actions of others can affect your own. Moreover, it is essential to move beyond

conventional notions of grieving stages and recognize that grief is a complex process, not easily

resolved by simply "letting go". Understanding the diversity of grief experiences is also

paramount, acknowledging that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Ultimately, the

overarching message conveyed by these articles is the importance of studying and

comprehending grief to safeguard our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. By

gaining this understanding, we equip ourselves with the tools necessary to navigate grief's

challenges and mitigate its potential negative effects.

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Reference

Bellieni, C. V. (2023). Managing Grief and Its Phases. In A New Holistic-Evolutive Approach to

Pediatric Palliative Care (pp. 29–36). essay, Springer.

Hall, C. (2014). Bereavement theory: Recent developments in our understanding of grief and

bereavement. Bereavement Care, 33(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/02682621.2014.902610

Herrando, C., & Constantinides, E. (2021). Emotional contagion: A brief overview and future

directions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712606

Worden JW (2008). Grief counseling and grief therapy: a handbook for the mental health

practitioner (4th ed.). New York: Springer.