Bereavement: A family life cycle perspective

Abstract

This article presents a family developmental systems framework to examine the immediate and long-term ramifications of death and loss in the multigenerational network of relationships. Based largely on our early research and extensive clinical experience, we examine family adaptation processes and variables in risk and resilience. We consider factors that impact families depending on the nature of the death, the state of relationships and family functioning at the time of loss, and the timing of loss in the family life cycle. Further research is strongly encouraged.