Mind and mourning: The primacy of "we" in complicated grief. Issue 9 (21st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hirsch, Pamela L.
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 43:Issue 9(2019)
• Page Start: 591
• Page End: 599
• Publication Date: 2019-10-21
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1504835
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

Abstract: Standard models of complicated grief rely on a self-other divided mind that reflects the physical separateness of individuals. In these models, grief persists for those mourners who cannot reorganize self-and-other mental representations or adapt to identity changes after loss. However, advances in cognitive science indicate that relationships are often processed via distributed social-cognitive coding whereby individuals together form a psychologically extended common mind. I propose a novel "we" hypothesis in which shared representations, rather than self-other distinctions, shape the mind for a subgroup of mourners with complicated grief. Recognition of "we-experiences" in mourning can enhance grief theory, research, and practice.