What is the dual process model of grief?
In 1999, Margaret Stroebe & Henk Schut introduced the “dual process model of coping with bereavement” into the field of grief research. Their model proposes that adaptive grieving is more likely when the bereaved person oscillates between dealing with their “loss oriented” and “restoration oriented” stressors. Many people do this naturally, so let’s explore what this looks like.
Loss Oriented
When someone is experiencing their loss oriented stressors, they are are dealing directly with the loss of their person and this can look like:
Thinking about the person and their death
Expressing emotion and crying
Ruminating on the circumstances of the death
Reflecting on the relationship with the person
Looking at old photos
Restoration Oriented
When someone is experiencing their restoration oriented stressors, they are are dealing with parts of their life that need to be dealt with and this can look like:
Making practical and financial arrangements
Completing tasks that the person who died used to do
Adjusting to changes in the home and relationships
Development of one’s new identity after loss
Distraction and avoidance from grief
Oscillation
The dual process model proposes a dynamic process of moving backwards and forwards between the loss oriented and restoration oriented tasks and experiences.
This oscillation, which often happens naturally, can be a necessary part of adjusting to grief and loss. It can be a healthy and adaptive coping strategy.
Dosing
The dual process model also discusses the concept of “dosing” when it comes to dealing with grief - taking breaks, dipping in and out of your grief process. It’s ok to have some respite from the active process of dealing with your loss oriented stressors.
Confronting your grief constantly, without any breaks, may place further stress on your physical and mental wellbeing. Distractions can be used as part of a healthy coping strategy.
Adaptive Coping
The dual process model can describe an adaptive coping strategy to help the bereaved person come to terms with their loss and avoid serious health consequences that may develop from constantly ruminating or confronting their grief, without respite. We need to feel our emotions, and we also need space from the relentless nature of heavy grief work at times too.
Grief models don’t explain your grief, because your grief is unique to you. However, we can discuss grief models to help us understand the grieving process and lean into the parts of the model which you resonate with, in your experience.
If you are ready to schedule your initial grief counselling session, visit my website at www.griefspace.com.au where I offer online bookings for my online telehealth sessions.
As always, please feel free to send me an email with any questions – michelle@griefspace.com.au
Michelle xx
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