Do Grief Self-Help Books Convey Contemporary Perspectives on Grieving?

Abstract

Grief therapy and psychology literatures of the modern Western world conceptualized bereavement and grief as processes to be “worked through” so that other relationships could be pursued. In the last decade or so, however, grief theorists have endorsed the value of attaining new meaning(s) and continuing bonds with our lost loved ones instead of “moving on from,” “letting go of,” or “achieving closure from” them. This article tracks the evolution of thought pertaining to this shift and examines its relevance to grief self-help books that may offer Americans guidance in the ways of grieving.