Blog 6: End of Life Issues

Blog 6 Topic

LAST ONE! Module 10 presents us with three theories that communication researchers have used to understand how people make sense of and deal with "end of life" experiences. These theories include:

• Problematic Integration Theory

• Terror Management Theory

• Trauma Management Theory

For THIS blog post, use the PLE and readings (cite both) to FIRST in your own words summarize ONE of the above theories and how it helps us understand communication at the "end of life."

THEN apply the theory to either a) a scene from a movie/tv show, b) a real life experience of yours, or c) a rich hypothetical. Make it clear to your reader what's going on in the scene or situation, and explain the relevance.

Obviously challenging material, but make the most of this last post!

Blog 6

The Problematic Integration Theory’s purpose is to ease the transitioning period of life to death. This theory suggests that people lessen the severity of death to make it a more positive experience (Module 10). By holding on to a sense of “hope” patients and their loved ones can disregard all of the negative “maybes” of their condition, and enlighten it with an appreciation of miracles. Another way to view this theory would be the termination of one’s suffering (Planalp and Trost, 2008). By reaching death, a person is relieved of all ailments placed upon them. Death becomes less problematic as its perspective is reevaluated in more optimistic outlooks.

This theory can be applied in a real life experience I endured this past September. My grandmother, who helped raise me, passed away. She lived with my family and me for many years as her health continued to decline. She would always talk about death so lightly as if she was looking forward to the release of her chronic pains and daily agony. When she suddenly died on her way to dialysis one morning, my boss knocked on the door of my residence and sat me down with an ODU counselor. I was told to call my father to receive the devastating news as my mother was unable to talk. I immediately took a week off from school to assist my family in the funeral arrangements. At the viewing to see my grandmother for the last time, my mother broke down in complete anguish. I held my composure during the entire process to show my family the light in my grandmother’s death. I emphasized how much happier she is now and how all of her pain has been destroyed. I tried to alleviate the situation as much as I could with positive reframing. Although the entire situation was heartbreaking, my family and I found comfort in the acceptance of her freedom.

References:

COMM 495 Module 10 – End of Life Issues

Planalp, S. and Trost, M., (2008). Communication Issues at the End of Life: Reports from Hospice Volunteers. Health Communication, 23(3), 222-233.