topic 12
Death, Dying and Bereavement
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Critical Thinking Questions Death is one of the newer
topics of study in human development. Questions exist over the exact definition of death, the meaning of death (which varies from culture to culture) and the ways in which individuals deal with death.
Recently, Dr. Jack Kevorkian has popularized the concept of assisted suicide. People, both within developmental psychology and without, are divided over the question of whether this is an
acceptable way to handle the issue of death. First read Collin Parkes' article "The Dying Adult". What are the issues with which the dying must deal? Then read the following articles and try to answer these questions: Does
assisted suicide (or its counterpart, euthanasia) appear to help or hinder people's management of the issues surrounding death? What ethical issues does assisted suicide raise? What alternatives to assisted suicide and euthanasia are
suggested? Provide support for your answers. "The dying adult." (Coping with Loss, Part 7.) Colin Murray Parkes. British Medical Journal, April 25, 1998 v316 n7140 p1313(3). "Casting a cold eye on `death with
dignity'." (assisted suicide law in Oregon). Joseph P. Shapiro. U.S. News & World Report, March 1, 1999 v126 i8 p56(1). "Death in prime time."(reaction to '60 Minutes' show on tale of assisted suicide).
U.S. News & World Report, Dec 7, 1998 p55(1). "Death with more dignity." (proposed reforms for care of the dying; includes related interview with Rosalynn Carter). Nancy Shute. U.S. News & World Report,
Feb 24, 1997 v122 n7 p61(2).
Research Question The following article describes research done
in revising and validating a self-report measure of personal anticipations about death. After reading the study, answer the following questions: What kind of data was used in the conduct of this research? Who were the subjects for the
study? What were the dependent variables in this study? What conclusions does the author draw about his results? What other explanations might be offered for the results of this study?
"Using metaphors to assess anticipatory perceptions of personal death." Jim McLennan, Catherine A. Stewart, Annabel C. Pollard, Jane Anastasios, Adebowale Akande and Lisa J.
McLennan. The Journal of Psychology, May 1997 v131 n3 p333(10).
Suggested Readings from Infotrac College Edition "The
relationship of death anxiety with age and psychosocial maturity." Christina A. Rasmussen and Christiane Brems. The Journal of Psychology, March 1996 v130 n2 p141(4). An investigation of the predictive value of age and
psychosocial maturity on death anxiety in a correlational study among 18 to 80 yr. olds.
"Life wish: In the debate over physician-assisted suicide, is anyone listening to
the soft voices of the dying and infirm?" (Editorial) Diane Komp. Christianity Today, March 3, 1997 v41 n3 p20(2). This article provides support and advice for individuals who may feel pressured by the current "right
to die" attitudes in medical practice and society at large. "The difference between blacks' and whites' attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia." William L. MacDonald. The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
, Sept 1998 v37 n3 p411(16). A report on research investigating factors influencing cultural differences in attitudes toward legalizing assisted suicide. "Theories and studying the care of dying people."
Clive Seale. British Medical Journal, Nov 28, 1998 v317 i7171 p1518(1). This article examines interviews of individuals with terminal illness and their relatives to seek how these narratives reveal efforts to
"construct" the social realities associated with death. The author provides an in depth account, using an anthropological orientation toward understanding behavior. "What do I say to my surviving children?"
(emotional and behavioral adjustment following the death of a young family member) David Ray DeMaso, Elaine C. Meyer and Pamela J. Beasley. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
Sep 1997 v36 n9 p1299(4). This informative article encourages parents and family members who have lost a child to seek mental health consultation, and provides information of use to such consultants. "Childhood bereavement:
Distress and long term sequelae can be lessened by early intervention."(Editorial) Dora Black. British Medical Journal, June 15, 1996 v312 n7045 p1496(1). A discussion of how children may be helped to cope with death of a
loved one. "Analgesia for dying infants whose life support is withdrawn or withheld." John Colin Partridge and Stephen N. Wall. Pediatrics, Jan 1997 v99 n1 p76(4). A study sought the factors that may predict the use
of pain-relieving medication among dying infants. This study questions our attitudes toward pain relief for infants and others who are dying.