Can Time Heal? Grief Trajectory of the Bereaved in Sichuan

Abstract

More than 100,000 lives were lost during the Sichuan earthquake that struck on May 12, 2008. Individuals who suffered from multiple losses, especially bereaved mothers, are most vulnerable. , This presentation will share the observation on the trajectory of grief expression among bereaved persons in the earthquake, following our work with bereaved populations in a few severely hit disaster sites in the past years, includingbereaved persons adapt and cope as time passes. Effective healing practices and interventions will be shared. Findings from qualitative and quantitative studies will be discussed in the context of concepts of survivors’ guilt, continuing bond and healing rituals in meaning making. Objectives: 1. Learn how Chinese people have coped with a catastrophe such as the 512 earthquake over a period of three years. 2. Critically review the issues of meaning-making among bereaved persons who lost a loved one through the earthquake. 3. Examine the application of survivors’ guilt, continuing bond and healing rituals in meaning-making on disaster victims.

1. Woo, I. M. H., & Chan, C. L. W. (2010). Management of survival guilt by a Chinese widower through the use of continuing bonds. Mortality, 15(1), 38-46. 2. Ho, A.H.Y., Chan C.L.W., Chow, A.Y.M., Pon, A.K.L., & Ng, S.M. (2010). Psychometric properties of the chinese version (C-DAP-R) of the Death Attitude Profile-revised. Illness, Crisis & Loss, 18(2), 95-110. 3. Lee, M. Y., Ng, S. M., Leung, P. Y. & Chan, C. L. W. (2009). Integrative body-mind-spirit social work: An empirically based approach to assessment and treatment. New York: The Oxford University Press. 4. Chan, C.L.W., Chan, C.H.Y., Tin, A.F., Chan, W.C.H., & Ng, P.O.K. (2009) In celebration of life: A self-help journey of preparing for death and living with loss and bereavement. Hong Kong: Centre on Behavioral Health, University of Hong Kong. 5. Chan, C.L.W. & Wong, D.F.K (2009) Introduction - Harmony in chaos: Social work responses to issues arising from a changing and stressful world. Social Work in Health Care. 48(3): 213-215.