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Four-Stage Model

  • Jan 29
  • 1 min read

In the late 70s early 80s John Bowlby wrote a series of books on attachment theory. One of these books was Attachment and loss: Loss Sadness and depression (1980), in which he discuss the Four-stage model of grief. This model has been used to aid in conceptualizing varied reactions to bereavement, as it makes connections between attachment style and grief responses


This is the four-stage model


1. Shock and Numbness

  • Shock and disbelief

  • Difficultly accepting the loss


2. Yearning and Searching

  • Reminiscing, searching

  • Longing for the person to return


3. Disorganization and Despair

  • Anxiety, anger, hopelessness, loneliness

  • Accepting the loss and life feels like it will never get better


4. Reorganization

  • Acceptance, relief

  • Recovery phase. Energy starts to return

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