Grief And Homicide Survivor
Running head: GRIEF AND HOMICIDE SURVIORS
Study of Grief and How It Impacts Homicide Survivors
Tina R. Workman
Hillsborough Community College
Bereavement, the loss of someone you care about, is a part of life for everyone. How one reacts to grief and how they move through the grieving process determines whether additional support or professional help is needed. People seek support from religious leaders, family and friends, or other social circles. Everyone who is experiencing grief does not need to attend counseling although many do. Counseling and support groups can be beneficial in addition to the traditional interventions mentioned. According to J. William Worden (1982), “[…] many times people come for medical or psychiatric …show more content…
When someone has a spouse that has been murdered they can have trouble moving through the process of grieving. There is no way to prepare for the loss of a loved one through murder. The sudden and unpreventable nature leaves nothing but pain and anguish in its wake (Asaro, 2001). Laurence Miller (2009) said, “The cruel and malicious nature of murder compounds the rage, grief, and despair of the survivors […] a deep and justifiable anger toward the killer alternately smolders and flares as investigations and legal actions meander along” (p. 68). There are other factors outside of grief that homicide survivors must handle. Media attention can be intrusive to some families compounding the grieving process. Often, there is a microphone shoved in their faces, trying to elicit a reaction or response (Asaro, 2001). “Very often, in sensationalized cases, family members are subjected to frequent and in-depth discussions of the case and of their loved one’s lifestyle” (Asaro, 2001, p. 99). If the murder happens while the victim is participating in risky behavior sometimes there can be stigma attached, in which others may think the victim got what they deserve or perhaps blame the family (Asaro, 2001).
As one can see, though grief is a natural process it is also very complex. Homicide compounds that grief, and in some cases, leads to more serious mental health issues. Given the prevalence of homicide in the age group outlined above one can see how a support group for spousal survivors ages twenty-five to forty would be very beneficial to
Study of Grief and How It Impacts Homicide Survivors
Tina R. Workman
Hillsborough Community College
Bereavement, the loss of someone you care about, is a part of life for everyone. How one reacts to grief and how they move through the grieving process determines whether additional support or professional help is needed. People seek support from religious leaders, family and friends, or other social circles. Everyone who is experiencing grief does not need to attend counseling although many do. Counseling and support groups can be beneficial in addition to the traditional interventions mentioned. According to J. William Worden (1982), “[…] many times people come for medical or psychiatric …show more content…
When someone has a spouse that has been murdered they can have trouble moving through the process of grieving. There is no way to prepare for the loss of a loved one through murder. The sudden and unpreventable nature leaves nothing but pain and anguish in its wake (Asaro, 2001). Laurence Miller (2009) said, “The cruel and malicious nature of murder compounds the rage, grief, and despair of the survivors […] a deep and justifiable anger toward the killer alternately smolders and flares as investigations and legal actions meander along” (p. 68). There are other factors outside of grief that homicide survivors must handle. Media attention can be intrusive to some families compounding the grieving process. Often, there is a microphone shoved in their faces, trying to elicit a reaction or response (Asaro, 2001). “Very often, in sensationalized cases, family members are subjected to frequent and in-depth discussions of the case and of their loved one’s lifestyle” (Asaro, 2001, p. 99). If the murder happens while the victim is participating in risky behavior sometimes there can be stigma attached, in which others may think the victim got what they deserve or perhaps blame the family (Asaro, 2001).
As one can see, though grief is a natural process it is also very complex. Homicide compounds that grief, and in some cases, leads to more serious mental health issues. Given the prevalence of homicide in the age group outlined above one can see how a support group for spousal survivors ages twenty-five to forty would be very beneficial to