Question
How can social workers effectively address the diverse styles of grieving in individuals and families?
Answer
Social workers can effectively address the diverse grieving styles in individuals and families by recognizing that there are two primary styles: instrumental and intuitive. Instrumental grievers tend to grieve in a physical and behavioral manner, focusing on doing something to cope with their grief. On the other hand, intuitive grievers emphasize the emotional aspect of grieving, with a greater emphasis on feeling rather than thinking and doing. However, it's essential to understand that most people fall somewhere between these two styles and are known as blended grievers.
To meet the needs of these blended grievers, social workers should use a balanced approach in planning interventions and utilizing tools. This means tailoring their support to address the need for active grieving and mourning processes for instrumental grievers and the desire to explore and express feelings for intuitive grievers. By understanding where individuals and families fall on this continuum and adapting their interventions accordingly, social workers can provide more effective and personalized support during the grieving process.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Grief in Family Systems: Interventions, presented by Tami J. Micsky, DSW, MSSA, LSW, CT
