ADOLESCENT BEREAVEMENT RYSZARD KOZLOWSKI B.Ed., University of Alberta, 1977 A Project Submitted to the Faculty of Education of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF EDUCATION LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA April 2002 Abstract Bereavement is a state or feeling of loss. At some point in everyone's life, tragedy occurs, triggering feelings of bereavement. The adolescent's experience with bereavement is unique from other age groups for a number of reasons. This document examines the research describing adolescent bereavement and exposes some of the myths maintained by our North American culture regarding the adolescent grieving process. Adolescence is an extremely exciting period of change and development for an individual. With these developments, there are issues the adolescent must face. These issues, when combined with bereavement complicate the lifestyle of the adolescent and become compounded when influenced by society's myths. These circumstances may lead to reducing the care shown to a bereaved adolescent and without this needed attention, an adolescent's unchecked grief can lead to a decline in their emotional and physical well being. One of the primary purposes of this document is to communicate bereavement issues to the adolescent. The two literary forms chosen to convey this information is a comic book in combination with a storybook. Using these two formats, it is the aim of this writer to motivate the adolescent to reflect on their loss and foster within the adolescent an understanding and an acceptance of their bereavement. When an adolescent acquires an understanding of bereavement, they are more inclined to explore the resources available to them. The concluding section of this document offers the bereaved adolescent a variety of readily accessible resources. Through such resources the adolescent is extended an offer of hope and the healing process is initiated. 111 Acknowledgements Projects immerse writers into research and writing with the intent of increasing their understanding of a subject. But all such endeavors need the direction of expert guides who lead the way and encourage the traveler on his journey. I have been fortunate in that I have had many individuals share with me their expertise and support, contributing to me successfully reaching my destination. I have received excellent support from my advisors, Dr. Kris Magnusson and Dr. Rick Mrazek. They have offered the professional direction and guidance needed to ensure this document meets the high standards expected by the University of Lethbridge. Their contributions have significantly impacted this work and their time and efforts have been greatly appreciated. I am thankful also to the many young people who offered valuable input. The beauty of the adolescent (if you are able to appreciate it) is their ability to, "tell it like it is". While such criticisms, can at times be somewhat unnerving, their honesty and immediate feedback, was always greatly appreciated. I also wish to extend thanks and appreciation to the Counsellors and Coordinators who have provided assistance by reviewing and offering their professional input of this document. Their contributions have helped to ensure this document was appropriate for the intended age group and was factually accurate. But most of all, I am sincerely grateful to my family for their continued support and confidence in me. All of my children (Amanda, Michael, David and Angela) have assisted me in completing this project and have generously given of their time as IV volunteers in various interviews and activities. Their encouragement and assistance has meant a lot. To my wife Virginia, I offer my gratitude for the constant reassurance and love she extended to me throughout the development of this project. She instilled in me the confidence needed to initiate this project. She offered unlimited hours of assistance with assignments. She renewed my motivation when I was weary. She expressed faith in me when I couldn't find it in myself. Without her support and love I would not have been able to maintain the desire to achieved my goals. The "Bereaver" will hopefully assist adolescents to deal with loss. The support they desire will not come as a result of the words found on the pages of this document. These pages will merely emphasize the message that each of us experiences loss. By placing trust in others, our hope is restored and we begin the healing process. If we are to withstand life's many tribulations, people of all ages must learn to empty themselves of grief, enter into the healing process and allow themselves to be restored by the celebratory joys of life. v Table of Contents Abstract. ............................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................. iv Table of Contents ..................................................................................vi Chapter 1: An Introduction To Adolescent Bereavement ..................................... l Purpose of Document ..................................................................... 1 Issues and Concerns Surrounding Bereavement ..................................... .4 Adolescence Lacks Rites of Passage .......................................... 6 Familiarity with Bereavement Issue ........................................... 7 Age, Gender, and Race Related Issues ....................................... 9 Predictability/violent Versus Non-violent Issues ........................... 10 Cognitive Development of Adolescent. .. 11 Spirituality of the Adolescent ................................................ 13 Summary of Bereavement Issues ............................................ 15 Chapter 2: The Comic Book .................................................................... 18 Tyler's Introduction to the Comic Book ............................................. 18 Purpose of the Comic Book ............................................................ 19 Chapter 3: The Storybook ...................................................................... 21 Mike's Introduction to the Storybook ................................................ 21 Purpose of Storybook ........................ '" ....................................... 22 Fall ........................................................................................ 23 Fall Reflections ............................... '" ............................... 29 VI Winter .................................................................................... 30 Winter Reflections ...................................................... ·.··· .. 35 Spring ..................................................................................... 36 Spring Reflections ............................................................. 42 Summer. .................................................................................. 43 Summer Reflections ........................................................... 50 Chapter 4: Summary of Comic Book and Storybook Formats ............................. 53 Chapter 5: Bereavement Guides and Resources ............................................. 54 Purpose of Guide and Resource Section ............................................. 54 Teachers' Guide ........................................................................ 55 Bereavement Fact Sheet by Terry .................................................... 59 Introduction to Survey by School Counsellor ....................................... 63 Bereavement Survey .................................................................... 64 Assessment Guide to Bereavement Survey .......................................... 68 Self Help Pages .......................................................................... 70 Books ..................................................................................... 75 Magazines and Journals ................................................................ 77 Others .................................................................................... 79 Summary of Resources by Beth ...................................................... 79 Chapter 6: Conclusion ........................................................................... 81 References ........................................................................................ 84 Appendix .......................................................................................... 88 VB Chapter 1: An Introduction to Adolescent Bereavement Purpose of Document The document entitled, Adolescent Bereavement, has been developed and submitted as a final project toward the attainment of a Master's Degree. It has been developed with the intent of someday being commercial produced and used as a bereavement resource for adolescents .. Throughout my 25-year involvement in the field of education, I have witnessed first hand the sorrow and complications that can develop for adolescents when they experience loss. Their ability to express bereavement can often be hampered by age­ related developments. Initially, I struggled with the development of this document. I was very conscious about producing a product that would be practical and user friendly, but which also addressed the needs and interests of the targeted group. The document has been developed as a resource for the bereaved adolescent and caregivers of this group. I believe I have achieved this goal through this document, albeit