The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘What if There’s No Such Thing as Closure?’
Jan 9, 2022
Pauline Boss, a family sciences researcher and author known for her work on ambiguous loss, shares insights from her book, ‘The Myth of Closure.’ She discusses the emotional complexities of grief, especially in cases of ambiguous loss such as missing loved ones or enduring long illnesses. Boss highlights how the pandemic has intensified feelings of 'frozen grief,' making it difficult for many to find closure. With six non-linear guidelines, she explores coping mechanisms, emphasizing the need to find meaning and maintain connections with what has been lost.
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Ambiguous Loss
- Pauline Boss challenges traditional grief theories, arguing against linear progression and fixed endpoints.
- She introduces "ambiguous loss," where grief is ongoing due to uncertainty, like a physically present but psychologically absent loved one.
Alzheimer's and Ambiguous Loss
- Bernhard's grandfather's Alzheimer's created an ambiguous loss, physically near yet distant.
- This resonates with Boss's theory, highlighting the prolonged grief from uncertain loss.
Caregiving and Ambiguous Loss
- Boss's husband's gradual health decline mirrors her research on ambiguous loss.
- As his caregiver, she experienced the emotional limbo inherent in such losses.
