| Abstract: |
Adults who are struggling to connect or communicate with important others in their lives or who could benefit from an opportunity to share more about their needs with close relations can benefit from this approach. The grievers may cite challenges connecting with others but not be so isolated that they cannot identify a significant other who could join them in exercise. The technique may be less effective for relationships that are high in conflict or circumstances where significant others are critical, provide negative social support or exhibit personality traits that hinder adaptive communication. Low social support has been associated with prolonged grief in numerous studies. Disconnection from others can leave a griever feeling as if the author’s life does not matter. Therefore, identifying ways to enhance support and to foster meaningful relationships is crucial to adaptation. Supportive relationships offer opportunities to process emotions and make meaning of the loss; they are often a source of meaning in and of themselves. © 2022 Robert A. Neimeyer. |
