Compare and contrast the four-component and dual-process models of coping with bereavement. How are they different from the grief work as rumination hypothesis?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The four-component model relies heavily on emotion theory. It proposes that understanding grief is based on the context of the loss (e.g., was the death expected?), continuation of subjective meaning associated with the loss (e.g., questioning the meaning of life), changing representations of the lost relationship over time, and the role of coping and emotion-regulating processes. The dual-process model emphasizes the role of loss-oriented stressors (e.g., the amount of grief work needed to be done) and restoration-oriented stressors (e.g., building new relationships). This model sees people cycling back and forth between dealing with grief and moving on, with some times being marked by a focus on grief and other times being dominated by efforts to move forward.

The grief work as rumination hypothesis suggests that over-processing of one's grief following a loss can actually have as many harmful as helpful effects on the recovery process. This model, which does contradict the common belief that processing one's grief is the best way to overcome it, has been supported by research.