The purpose of this paper is to integrate the theory and practice principles we have learned and to apply them to a living person’s experience of loss. The outline below is provided as a guide, not a rigid format. Each subsection should be labeled, but not all questions are appropriate to your respondent’s loss. The order is not prescribed flow of the paper’s narrative is more important than answering questions in order. Although this is a formal paper and proper grammar, syntax, spelling, and citation are expected, you may use “I” judiciously (especially in the summary). The paper itself is typically 6-7 typed APA style pages, not including the interview.
The Respondent: Describe the person’s demographics, their developmental age and functioning, and your relationship to the respondent. What intersectional identities impact their loss or their mourning of it?
The Loss: Describe the person’s loss, both referring to the words they used (in the transcript, but also your classification of the loss [i.e., a disenfranchised loss of a loved pet during the adolescent years]).
Application of Grief Theory: Think about the information you elicited about how the person experienced their loss and particularly how they believed their grief process evolved. Try to use several sections of the transcript to show the evolution of the grief process over time while possibly applying the questions below to a section or two (remember, each question is not appropriate for all losses).
Does the person’s trajectory of grief fit better within classical grief theories, task or process-oriented models of grief-classical, or newer postmodern models (disenfranchised grief, continuing bonds, meaning-making)? (Use appropriate professional literature)
How do spirituality/culture or other aspects play a role in the person’s grief process and/or meaning-making?
What area(s) did the person struggle with as their grief evolved and what factors do you assess as critical to why they had more difficulty in those areas?
Application of Practice:
If you were providing grief work services to this person just after their loss, what models/theories would inform your assessment and treatment plan? Integrate professional literature.
What do you believe the person’s needs continue to be in regard to this loss and what would you recommend professionally to help?
1. Summary:
How do you perceive this person’s loss overall?
What did you learn from this experience interviewing them?
Attach the transcript at the end with the comments received from when you turned the interview in mid-semester. (Instructors—only include this phrase if you elect to have students turn in the interview midsemester)
Rubric: /50
15 points—evidence of competent interview and transcription (5 points for flow [open-ended questions], 5 for following respondent’s lead, 5 for completeness)
15 points—shows analysis of the loss within the theoretical frameworks of loss (5 points for identification of types of loss, 5 for use of relevant loss theories, 5 for analysis)
10 points—shows evidence of skilled application to practice planning (5 for appropriate plan, 5 for connection to the theoretical assessment as driving the intervention)
10 points—follows instructions; has accurate grammar, syntax, citation, and writing.
