About the Book
The introduction of the continuing bonds model of grief near the end of the 20th century revolutionized the way researchers and practitioners understand bereavement. Continuing Bonds in Bereavement is the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art collection of developments in this field since the inception of the model. As a multi-perspectival, nuanced, and forward-looking anthology, it combines innovations in clinical practice with theoretical and empirical advancements. The text traces grief in different cultural settings, asking questions about the truth in our interactions with the dead and showing how new cultural developments like social media change the ways we relate to those who have died. Together, the book’s four sections encourage practitioners and scholars in both bereavement studies and in other fields to broaden their understanding of the concept of continuing bonds.
Table of Contents:
Series Foreword Robert A. Neimeyer Prologue: A Personal History Dennis Klass List of Contributors 1. Introduction: Continuing Bonds—20 Years On Dennis Klass and Edith Steffen Section I: Overview of the Book 2. The Two-Track Model of Bereavement and Continuing Bonds Simon Shimshon Rubin, Ruth Malkinson, and Eliezer Witztum 3. Posttraumatic Growth and Continuing Bonds Richard Tedeschi, Ana Orejuela-Davila, & Paisley Lewis 4. How Continuing Bonds Have Been Framed Across Millennia Tony Walter 5. Continuing Bonds, Authorship, and American Cultural History Harold K. Bush Section II: Continuing Bonds and Clinical Contexts Subsection II.1: Innovations for Working with Continuing Bonds 6. Reconstructing the Continuing Bond: A Case Study in Grief Therapy Robert A. Neimeyer and An Hooghe 7. Remembering Relations Across the Years and the Miles Lorraine Hedtke 8. Working with Continuing Bonds from an Attachment Theoretical Perspective Phyllis Kosminsky 9. Externalized and Internalized CB in Understanding of Grief Samuel M.Y. Ho and Ide S.F. Chan 10. Forgiveness and Continuing Bonds Elizabeth A. Gassin 11. Reaching the Unspoken Grief: Continuing Parental Bond during Pregnancy Loss Bobo H.P. Lau, Candy H.C. Fong, and Celia H.Y. Chan Subsection II.2: Specific Perspectives for Working with Sense of Presence 12. Working with Welcome and Unwelcome Presence in Grief Jacqueline Hayes and Edith Steffen 13. The Potential Therapeutic Efficacy of Assisted After-Death Communication Julie Beischel, Chad Mosher, and Mark Boccuzzi Section III: The Truth Status & Reality Status of Continuing Bonds 14. Ontological Flooding and Continuing Bonds Jack Hunter 15. Considering Anomalous Events During Bereavement as Evidence for Survival Callum E. Cooper 16. Grief, Ritual and Experiential Knowledge: A Philosophical Perspective Anastasia Philippa Scrutton Section IV: Continuing Bonds in Cultural Contexts Subsection IV.1: Continuing Bonds’ Complex Roles in Cultures 17. Identity and Continuing Bonds in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Britain and Japan Christine Valentine 18. Evolving Roles in Research Exploring Communication About Grief: Meaning Making and Continuing Bonds Michael Robert Dennis and Adrianne Kunkel 19. Ancient Mesopotamian Remembrance and the Family Dead Renata MacDougal 20. Continuing Bond as a Double-Edged Sword in Bereavement? Candy H.C. Fong and Amy Y. M. Chow 21. Continuing Bonds with Native Culture: Immigrants' Response to Loss Hani M. Henry, William B. Stiles, and Mia W. Biran Subsection IV.2: A New Cultural Context – Social Media 22. Continuing Bonds and Social Media in the Lives of Bereaved College Students David Balk and Mary Alice Varga 23. Mourning 2.0: Continuing Bonds between the Living and the Dead on Facebook—Continuing Bonds in Cyberspace Melissa Irwin 24. Facilitation and Disruption of Continuing Bonds in a Digital Society Elaine Kasket Reflections and Conclusions: Going Forward with Continuing Bonds Edith Steffen and Dennis Klass
About the Author :
Dennis Klass, PhD, is on the editorial boards of Death Studies and Omega: Journal of Death and Dying and is professor emeritus at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of The Spiritual Lives of Bereaved Parents, coauthor of Dead but not Lost: Grief Narratives in Religious Traditions, and coeditor of Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief. A licensed psychologist, he has been active in the study of death, dying, and bereavement since 1968.
Edith Maria Steffen, PsychD, is a lecturer in counseling psychology at the University of Roehampton, London, UK. Her research focuses on sense of presence experiences in bereavement and meaning-oriented group grief therapy. She has published articles in journals such as Death Studies, Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, and Mental Health, Religion & Culture, and has contributed a number of chapters to anthologies.
Review :
"The concept of continuing bonds has proven to be a very influential one. This review of its contemporary significance is a superb piece of scholarship that will delight anyone interested in understanding the complexities of loss and grief. An impressive lineup of writers provides both breadth and depth. The editors have done an excellent job in producing an outstanding anthology that will be of lasting value."
Neil Thompson, PhD, DLitt, professor, Wrexham Glyndwr University
"Continuing Bonds in Bereavement is a large buffet covering various aspects of continuing relationships with deceased loved ones. Created by expert chefs, the dishes cover theory, therapeutic experiences (with transcripts that are very moving), forgiveness, after-death communications, religion, and culture. Choose what interests you. Digest. Learn. Grow."
Lillian Range, PhD, professor of psychology and counseling, University of Holy Cross
"A powerful concept demands extensive explanation and theoretical exploration. This encyclopedia-like volume does just that for continuing bonds and will serve as a benchmark reference for ongoing study and research."
Douglas J. Davies, PhD, DLitt, Hon Dr Theol, professor in the study of religion, director of Centre for Death and Life Studies, Durham University
"Finally, a pithy comprehensive synthesis of evolving bereavement theories, practices, and paradoxes inherent in the continuing bond paradigms. This timely anthology further equips therapists, educators, and even the grieving with diverse cultural and digital modes of expression applicable in our professional and personal lives."
Sandra L. Bertman, PhD, FT, author, Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity as Therapy
