
The Myth of Closure
Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change
Pauline Boss(Author)
WW Norton & Co (Publisher)
Published on 15. February 2022
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-324-01681-6 (ISBN)
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us haunted by feelings of anxiety, despair and even anger. In this book, pioneering therapist, Pauline Boss identifies these vague feelings of distress as ambiguous loss. This is what we experience when a loss remains unclear and undefined, and thus lingers indefinitely. Now, with a pandemic that has upended the lives of people across the globe, we are collectively experiencing ambiguous loss-loss of trust in the world as a safe place and loss of certainty about our healthcare, education for our children, employment, and the rebuilding of our lives after so much loss.
Here, you will find guidance for beginning to cope with this lingering distress, and even learn how this time of pandemic has taught us to tolerate ambiguity, build resilience and emerge from crises stronger than we were before.
Here, you will find guidance for beginning to cope with this lingering distress, and even learn how this time of pandemic has taught us to tolerate ambiguity, build resilience and emerge from crises stronger than we were before.
Reviews / Votes
"Perhaps Boss's most valuable advice when faced with pandemic losses: "What we need to hope for is not to go back to what we had, but to see what we can create now and in the future." She suggested brainstorming with others and being willing to try new things. "Hope for something new and purposeful that will sustain you and give you joy for the rest of your life."" -- The Independent "This book is packed with observation and stories, and imbued with understanding, compassion, wisdom and permission to be human. I unreservedly recommend it to anyone who is not quite knowing where they find themselves after the events of the past two years." -- Therapy TodayMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
376 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-324-01681-6 (9781324016816)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2021
W. W. Norton & Company
€20.49
Available for download
Person
Pauline Boss, PhD, is emeritus professor at University of Minnesota. She is known worldwide for developing the theory of ambiguous loss and as a pioneer in the interdisciplinary study of family stress management. Dr. Boss is the author of Loss, Trauma, and Resilience: Therapeutic Work with Ambiguous Loss and The Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.