Workplace Grief

Introduction

Within any group situation over a period of time with face-to-face interaction, psychological bonds will develop. One's values, attitudes, and behaviors are formed through this social contact. Of interest to psychologists and sociologists is the merging of these views and attitudes as a result of group association, while at the same time maintaining one's individual self-image and identity. Organizations are interested in fostering favorable attitudes to help meet management objectives. Research has looked at such aspects of groups as their evolving norms and ways individuals conform to these norms, communication patterns, effects of individual differences and hierarchy of relationships.

Group influence can be either a positive or negative stressor. Isabel Menzies (1975) addresses this potential problem in her case-study of the nursing service of a general hospital. Dr. Menzies' study of this social system's defense against anxiety found that a necessary psychological task for anyone entering into a profession working with other people was the development of an adequate professional detachment. For a nurse, the core of the anxiety may lie in her relation with the patient. The closer and more concentrated this relationship, the more the nurse is likely to experience the impact of anxiety. The work situation may arouse very strong mixed feelings in the nurse, such as pity, compassion, love, guilt, and anxiety combined with hatred and resentment of the patients who arouse these strong feelings. The nurse must learn to control her feelings, refrain from excessive involvement, avoid disturbing identifications and maintain her professional independence.

Some individuals may minimize the mutual interaction of personalities which might lead to "attachment." In fact, this behavior is reinforced by an implicit operational policy of "detachment." In Menzies' case-study of the General Hospital, the nursing service attempts to protect the nurses from anxiety by splitting up their contact with patients. This prevents them from coming effectively into contact with the totality of any one patient, his illness and possible death, and offers some protection from the anxiety this arouses.

An organizational perspective, such as that offered by Menzies (1960), is needed to understand how extraorganizational events, such as the death of a child, influence job performance. The family can be a place of relief from job pressures and a sanctuary for regenerating energy levels. It can be a source of strength for husband, wife, and children. Conversely, if the family patterns or family events are not right, they can affect work behavior, husband and wife relationships, and the children. Organizations need to be alert to the fact that family concerns are carried into the workplace. Human needs cannot be met in an organization that serves and maintains an autonomous function.