1. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Chapter 17 The Final Challenge: Death and Dying

2. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Biological Definitions of Death Harvard: Total Brain Death –Unresponsive to stimuli –No movement or breathing –No reflexes –Flat EEG Euthanasia: “happy” or “good” death –Hastening death of someone suffering incurable illness or injury

3. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Social Meanings of Death Modern American –Medical failure More traditional societies –Natural part of life cycle Grieving practices vary –By culture: weeping/partying –By ethnicity: wake/Shiva

4. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Life Expectancy Expected age at death –U.S.: 76.5 years –White females: 80 years –White males: 75 years –Black females: 75 years –Black males: 68 years –Ancient Rome: 30 years

5. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17

6. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Figure 17.1

7. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Theories of Aging and Death Programmed theories –Maximum life span (species specific) –Hayflick Limit Damage Theories –Free radicals Interaction of the two – or more

8. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Kubler-Ross’s Stages of Dying Common set of stage-like emotions –Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance Criticisms –Not a stage-like process –Course of illness not considered –Individual differences

9. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Attachment Model of Bereavement Bereavement: the state of loss Grieving: emotional expressions –Anticipatory grief Mourning: culturally approved reactions Parks/Bowlby Model –Reaction to separation from a loved one –Numbness, yearning, despair, reorganization

10. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Figure 17.2

11. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Infant Object permanence Attachment by 6-8 months –Separation anxiety at loss –Protest, yearning, searching despair –Behavioral: eating, sleeping, regression Less distress if attached to other parent Eventual new attachments and recovery

12. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Child The mature concept of death –Finality, irreversibility, universality, biological causality Age 3-5: universality –Dead live under altered circumstances –Reversible - life sleep Age 5-7: finality, irreversibility Level of cognitive development, experience

13. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17

14. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Dying Child Young child aware of impending death Adults often secretive Same range of emotions as dying adults Anxiety revealed in behavior Parental control is helpful Need support of important others

15. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Bereaved Child Children do grieve Express grief differently than adults do –Misbehavior, strike out, rage Lack adult coping skills –Will use denial, avoidance Most adjust successfully

16. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Adolescent Higher levels of understanding Concerns of adolescence –Body image, identity, independence May carry on internal dialogue with dead Devastated at death of close friend Adult-like grieving

17. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Adult Death of family member difficult Death of spouse more expected with age –More difficult when young (non-normative) Elevated levels of stress Risk increases for illness and death Signs of recovery after 2 years

18. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Loss of a Child No loss more difficult Experienced as untimely, unjust Broken attachments Guilt at failure to protect child May continue relationship w/dead child Marital problems often increase afterward

19. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 The Loss of a Parent Lasting problems may occur if young Less tragic than unexpected death Adjustment not as difficult Guilt: not doing enough for parent Broken attachment

20. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Grief Work Perspective Emotions must be confronted: detachment Psychoanalytic, also popular view May be a culturally biased belief Grief work may actually cause more distress Delayed grief reaction predicted w/out it –Not supported by research Detachment not necessary

21. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Who Copes and Who Succumbs Secure infant attachment related to coping Low self-esteem related to more difficulty Cause of death influences bereavement Support system essential Additional life stressors detrimental Positive outcomes often found

22. Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider Chapter 17 Hospice Dying person decides what is needed De-emphasize prolonging life Pain control emphasized Normal setting (if possible) Bereavement counseling for entire family Research shows positive outcomes