Families living with anticipatory grief; how can we both understand and explain? Chapter 5

Abstract

Illness as a phenomenon consists of both physiological conditions and narratives. When children have serious illnesses and death becomes the frame of family life, systemic perspectives can expand causal explanations by providing descriptions of illness within a frame of relational values. In encounters with parents dealing with anticipatory grief, therapists must attempt to create alliance also with scientific discourses. Only then can we offer the best care to families who need us to both explain and understand. Social constructionism as a scientific theoretical perspective offers dialogue and philosophical ideas about how to create an interdisciplinary practice. Cooperation across disciplines can also improve our ability to be relationally engaged with those we are to help.