Which outcome is appropriate for a client with dysfunctional grieving after losing his spouse?

Which outcome is appropriate for a client with dysfunctional grieving after losing his spouse?

• A. The client denies feelings of loss and resumes usual activities.
• B. The client plans to attend a community grief group.
• C. The client avoids all forms of social support.
• D. The client demonstrates immediate resolution of grief.

Answer: (B)

When someone is grieving after a spouse’s loss, reaching out for support and engaging in structured grieving activities helps process the pain rather than burying it. Planning to attend a community grief group is a healthy step because it provides a safe space to express emotions, receive validation from others who understand the loss, and learn coping strategies from facilitators and peers. It supports gradual adaptation to the new reality and reduces isolation. Denying feelings and resuming usual activities without processing, avoiding all social support, or expecting the grief to resolve immediately are less adaptive responses. Denial or avoidance can prolong suffering, isolation removes valuable support, and expecting instant resolution ignores the normal, gradual nature of grieving.

When someone is grieving after a spouse’s loss, reaching out for support and engaging in structured grieving activities helps process the pain rather than burying it. Planning to attend a community grief group is a healthy step because it provides a safe space to express emotions, receive validation from others who understand the loss, and learn coping strategies from facilitators and peers. It supports gradual adaptation to the new reality and reduces isolation.

Denying feelings and resuming usual activities without processing, avoiding all social support, or expecting the grief to resolve immediately are less adaptive responses. Denial or avoidance can prolong suffering, isolation removes valuable support, and expecting instant resolution ignores the normal, gradual nature of grieving.