A Bridge between Traumatic Life Events and Losses by Death

Abstract

The bereavement process associated with losses by death has been well documented. More recently, the existence of a grief reaction following certain traumatic life events has been recognized. A main purpose of this article is to provide support for such a connection. Reactions to a gamut of life traumas (alcoholism, abuse, disability, divorce, and infertility) are discussed within the context of a grief framework. Literature pertaining to the responses to suicide and murder is applied to traumatic life events. Proposed differences between death related bereavement and reactions to life traumas are discussed and dissolved. Through this discussion, an attempt is made to generalize grief work to a broader range of traumatic life situations. Another central goal of this review is to offer a unified conceptualization of loss among differential life and death traumas. Emphasis is on the common bond which exists among these survivors without disregard to the presence of individual differences. Clinical implications are briefly reviewed with respect to assessment, diagnostic choice and utilization of interventions.