Trajectories of Dying: A Review of the Literature The last stage of life is a time of great uncertainty and vulnerability for individuals and their families. As a result, much research has been conducted to better understand the trajectories of dying. This review of the literature is focused on recent research on trajectories of dying […]
The Conceptual Foundations of Necromimesis In the expansive field of bereavement studies, the term necromimesis has emerged as a specialized descriptor for a complex set of behaviors involving the imitation of the deceased. At its core, necromimesis refers to a psychological phenomenon where a grieving individual attempts to recreate the existence of a lost loved […]
Introduction to Anticipatory Grief Anticipatory grief represents a profound and complex emotional experience characterized by the mourning of an impending loss, often occurring long before the actual death of a loved one. Unlike conventional grief, which begins following bereavement, anticipatory grief is initiated by the recognition of an inevitable future separation, frequently stemming from circumstances […]
Deathbed Escorts and Visions The Core Definition of Deathbed Phenomena Deathbed Escorts and Visions, often categorized under the broader umbrella of deathbed phenomena, refer to the auditory and visual experiences reported by individuals who are nearing the end of their lives. These occurrences typically involve the perception of deceased relatives, friends, or spiritual figures who […]
The Death Taboo: A Psychological and Anthropological Examination The Core Definition of the Death Taboo The Death Taboo, or Death Tabu, is a pervasive social and psychological phenomenon characterized by intense societal avoidance of all topics, individuals, or objects associated directly with mortality. At its core, the taboo operates on the premise that death is […]
Mourning: A Psychological and Cultural Review The Core Definition and Psychological Mechanism Mourning is fundamentally defined as the comprehensive psychological, emotional, and behavioral process through which an individual adapts and adjusts to a significant loss, most commonly the death of a loved one. While often used interchangeably with grief, mourning is typically understood as the […]
Bereavement: A Psychological Encyclopedia Entry The Core Definition of Bereavement Bereavement is the objective state of having suffered a loss, specifically the death of a significant person. While often used interchangeably with the term “grief,” bereavement refers strictly to the experience of being deprived of the relationship, whereas grief is the internal, subjective, and highly […]
Thanatology: The Scientific Study of Death and Dying The Core Definition of Thanatology Thanatology is the comprehensive, interdisciplinary academic and scientific discipline dedicated to the study of death and dying, along with the associated psychological mechanisms, social practices, and ethical considerations. The term itself is derived from the Greek words Thanatos, the personification of death, […]
Traumatic Grief The Core Definition of Traumatic Grief Traumatic grief represents a profound and complex psychological response that emerges in the aftermath of exposure to highly distressing events, particularly the sudden, violent, or unexpected death of a loved one. Unlike conventional grief, which is a natural and adaptive process of mourning and adjusting to loss, […]