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DISENFRANCHISED GRIEF: Strategies FOR ADDRESSING SAME-SEX Grief Issues

Presenters:

Mary E. Garrison, LCSW, ACSWAssociate Professor of Social Work - Millikin UniversityNASW Illinois Board Member East Central District Chair

Nancy J. Curtin, Ph.DAssociate Professor of Communication - Millikin UniversityDepartment of Communication Chair

Tweet us at #NASWIL1Session Preview:Historical PerspectiveCase StudyConcepts & Case ConnectionsStrategies & Techniques

2Historical Perspective: Focus on GaysEmerging Focus on LesbiansOur Focus Today: Gays and Lesbians

3Case Presentation: Nancy & Jill

4Disenfranchised Grief (DG):Conceptualization of DefinitionExamplesImpact of DG on Same-Sex Couples5Case Connections6Same-Sex Grieving Partners: Unique FactorsAttitudes about Same-Sex CouplesDiscriminationHeteronormativityRole of Person & Relationship DisclosureInternalDefinition of relationshipExternalDegree of Outness

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Same-Sex Grieving Partners: Unique FactorsCause/Reason for DeathStigmaResource AvailabilityLack of effective/appropriate resourcesSupport groupsCounseling Professional ServicesResult = Disenfranchised Grief

8Cultural Competence:Social work perspectiveAssumptionsUse of languageLabeling/defining relationshipReference to deceasedCentrality of relationship9Cultural Competence: Communication PerspectiveDefining/Labeling the RelationshipDisclosing the Relationship (degree of outness)Identifying the Context of the Disclosure Managing the Disclosure

10Intervention Strategies: Same-sex grieving partnersLanguage UseMirror clients language with the relational label & feelings.Acknowledgement/Communication of DGProvide context for clientValidate

11Validation of LossAvoid minimization of relationship and feelingsRecognition and Identification of CommunicationConsider internal messagesQuestion external messages

Intervention Strategies: Same-sex grieving partners12References:Broderick, D. J., Birbilis, J. M. & Steger, M. F. (2008). Lesbians grieving the death of a partner: Recommendations for practice. Journal of Lesbian Studies (12), 2-3, 225-235.Doka, K. J. (1989). Disenfranchised grief. In K. J. Doka (Ed.), Disenfranchised Grief: Recognizing the Hidden Sorrow (pp. 3-11). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.Hunter, S. (2011). Lesbian and Gay Couples: Lives, Issues, and Practice. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, Inc.McNutt, B. & Yahushko, O. (2013). Disenfranchised grief among lesbian and gay bereaved individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 7(1), 87-116. DOI: 10.1080/15538605.2013.758345.National Association of Social Work Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice. (2001). NASW Press.

13References:Petronio, S. & Durham, W. T. (2008). Communication privacy management theory: Significance for interpersonal communication. In L. A. Baxter & D. O. Braithwaite (Eds.), Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives (pp. 309-322). CA: Sage.Rack, J., Burleson, B., Graham, B., Holmstrom, A. (2007). Bereaved adults evaluations of grief management messages: Effects of message person centeredness, recipient individual differences, and contextual factors. Conference paper-- International Communication Association Annual Meeting, 1-41.VanDenBergh, N. & Crisp, C. (2004). Defining culturally competent practice with sexual minorities: Implications for social work education and practice. Journal of Social Work Education, 40(2), 221-238.14References:Walker, J.A. & Prince, T. (2010). Training considerations and suggested counseling interventions for LGBT individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 4:2-17. DOI: 10.1080/155538600903552756Whipple, V. (2006). Lesbian Widows: Invisible Grief. New York: Harrington Park Press.Wood, J. T. (2009). Gendered Lives. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage. 15