Middle-Range Theory of Chronic Sorrow - Essay Example

This is the theory in a nutshell and the article expands and repeats it throughout, using certain keywords: Antecedents, Loss Situations, Disparity, Trigger Events, Affected Individuals, Family Caregivers, Bereaved Individuals, Management Methods, (Internal and External). Most of what is written is easily understood and contains a great deal of common sense. The repetitive nature and volume of information may actually only serve to confuse that understanding. Taking each keyword and explaining it simply makes the article more accessible and easily absorbed.

Antecedents: These are basically the events leading up to chronic sorrow developing. They have similarities with loss situations, disparity and triggers, all seem to be intertwined resulting once again in confusing repetitions. A good explanation of these by Lindgren et al ., (1993) and Teel, (1991) is as follows: Loss Situations: Only three are emphasized, these being, ongoing or chronic loss, (described as 'ongoing') such as chronic illness or having a physically or mentally disabled child; loss suffered by caregivers as they watch loved ones suffer and deteriorate, and also their own loss of a normal life; finally, loss through bereavement, (described as 'circumscribed), death of a a loved one and the change of roles the sufferer may encounter as a result of this loss.

Disparity: The Disparity: The person's current reality is different from what they would like it to be. A gap between the 'actual' and the 'desired' state exists, and as the loss may be experienced periodically, so too is the grief. The gap cannot close and so the grief keeps returning.Trigger Events: Closely linked to disparity, these are situations that bring the realization of the loss into focus and depend on whether the loss is chronic for an individual, or as a caregiver, or due to bereavement.

A chronic illness which causes deterioration may bring on the sorrow for that person. Parents seeing a disabled child failing to reach 'normal' milestones will suffer, as will a bereaved person on the anniversary, birthday etc. of the lost loved one.Affected Individuals: As has already been stated, these are sufferers of chronic loss conditions, caregivers and bereaved individuals. The article is repeating the model, key factors and concepts, when it has already identified the people and conditions which bring about chronic sorrow.

Management Methods - Effective Internal and External: Once again, the common sense of these is almost lost by the huge amount of words used in the article. However, the information on coping 3.mechanisms is well presented, giving the reader easy access to vital tools for identifying ways to help and support, as well as understanding of the condition and the needs of individual sufferers. Internal Management Methods: These include a