Loss

‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy

by Adrian Coyle

Steffen, E., & Coyle, A. (2012). ‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy. In C. Murray (Ed.), Mental Health and Anomalous Experience (pp.33-56). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this... more The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this experience tends to be reported as positive and meaningful by perceivers, for most of the twentieth century it has been described in pathologising terms in the bereavement literature. Recent decades have seen the publication of numerous studies that point to normality of this experience and its potential benefits for the bereaved perceivers' wellbeing. However, there is an ongoing debate within bereavement scholarship regarding the nature and healthiness of this experience. This chapter critically examines the extant literature concerning 'sense of presence' experiences and draws attention to the diversity of definitions and conceptualisations within which this experience can be interpreted. Research from a variety of perspectives, including attachment theory and the continuing bonds perspective, is discussed and emerging evidence is reported which suggests that those who can make sense of their experience within culturally-sanctioned (spiritual) conceptual frameworks enjoy greater benefits as a result. The discussion then focuses on meaning-making concerns with regard to this phenomenon and concludes with relevant practice recommendations.

The Effects of Loss Profiles in Interdependent Network Security

by Alan Nochenson

Co-authored w/ C. F. Larry Heimann

Although system administrators are frequently urged to protect the machines in their network, the fact remains that... more Although system administrators are frequently urged to protect the machines in their network, the fact remains that the decision to mandate protection is far from universal. To better understand this decision, we formulate a model of interdependent network security where there is a system administrator responsible for a network of size n against autonomous attackers attempting to penetrate the network and infect the machines with viruses or other exploits. We introduce the concept of a loss profile, which encapsulates the idea of variable loss due to infection. Through the application of a simple loss profile to this interdependent network security scenario, we conclude that the decision is dependent upon a number of factors including external and internal vulnerabilities, the types and likelihoods of different amounts of loss, and the interaction of all of these effects. Through this analysis, we form a model for decisionmaking that is simple to understand and applicable to many other interdependent security scenarios.

Experiences of AIDS-related bereavement among gay men: Implications for care

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Clare Wright. Published in 1996 in Mortality, 1(3), 267-282. Please contact me if you would like a copy of the complete paper but experience difficulties in locating it.

Spiritual beliefs and the search for meaning among older adults following partner loss

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Richard Golsworthy. Published in 1999 in Mortality, 4(1), 21-40. Please contact me if you would like a copy of the complete paper but experience difficulties in locating it.

Can parental responses to adult children with schizophrenia be conceptualised in terms of loss and grief? A case study analysis

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with James Osborne. Published in 2002 in Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 15(4), 307-323. A manuscript version of this paper can be downloaded from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/1716/1/fulltext.pdf

It has been suggested that parental responses to adult children with schizophrenia may involve feelings of loss and... more It has been suggested that parental responses to adult children with schizophrenia may involve feelings of loss and grief, centred around loss of the pre-morbid version of their child. In this exploratory study, an in-depth case study analysis of four parental accounts of their responses was undertaken in order to obtain insights into whether these responses can be conceptualised in terms of loss and grief, with the aim of informing therapeutic practice with parents in this position. Information was also obtained on how parents coped with the
reactions that their child’s condition elicited in them. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In relation to the central research question, it was found that the perception of loss was not uniform amongst participants. Three acknowledged a sense of loss at least to some extent but one parent resisted such an interpretation because she perceived a continuity over time in her son’s behaviour and she also challenged her son’s diagnosis. One parent acknowledged a loss of his daughter’s premorbid self but qualified this by pointing to her continued physical presence. The usefulness of existing models of grief are examined in light of the findings. The implications for the practice of counselling psychology are discussed.

Can “sense of presence” experiences in bereavement be conceptualised as spiritual phenomena?

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Edith Steffen. Published in 2010 in Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 13(3), 273-291. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it.