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Ambiguous loss from chronic physical illness: Clinical interventions with individuals, couples, and families
Author(s) -
Boss Pauline,
Couden Barbara A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.10083
Subject(s) - clarity , psychological intervention , psychology , physical illness , confusion , depression (economics) , psychiatry , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , illness behavior , psychotherapist , cognition , biochemistry , chemistry , psychoanalysis , economics , macroeconomics
The theory of ambiguous loss is applied to chronic illness in individuals, couples, and families. Lack of clarity about prognosis, daily physical condition, and fluctuating capabilities create relationship confusion, preoccupation with the illness, or avoidance of the ill individual. Immobilization, depression, and relationship collapse may occur in response to features of chronic illness over which there is no control. A case study illustrates helpful therapeutic interventions for couples and families with chronically ill members. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 58: 1351–1360, 2002.