The Research Behind Loss

Grief and Loss

’Science suggests that maintaining an emotional connection with a deceased loved one can be beneficial for grieving individuals.’

Continuing Bonds Theory

This theory suggests that maintaining an emotional connection with a deceased loved one can be beneficial for grieving individuals. Rather than detaching from the person, bereaved individuals maintain a symbolic bond that helps them process their loss. AI likenesses could potentially serve as a way to sustain this bond, providing comfort through virtual messages or conversations that allow individuals to feel connected to their loved ones. Research Example: A study on continuing bonds by Klass, Silverman, and Nickman (1996) shows that maintaining an internal connection with the deceased helps in adapting to loss. An AI-generated message could be an extension of this bond, offering a more tangible way to experience this connection. Narrative Therapy: Narrative therapy helps individuals process grief by encouraging them to tell and retell stories about the deceased. AI-generated messages might help individuals engage in this storytelling process, enabling them to relive memories and feel more connected to their loved one. Research Example: Research by White & Epston (1990) highlights the importance of personal narratives in making sense of loss. An AI likeness might act as a facilitator for such narratives, encouraging individuals to engage in constructive conversations.

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Therapeutic Benefits of Reminiscing

Research has explored the use of AI and chatbots for mental health support, such as providing comfort or engaging in meaningful conversations. Studies suggest that people form emotional attachments to digital avatars or chatbots, which may offer benefits for emotional regulation and psychological well-being. Research Example: A study by Ho et al. (2018) on AI-based digital companions found that users can experience companionship and emotional relief from interactions with AI. Simulated conversations with deceased family members could offer similar emotional support, acting as a therapeutic tool during grief. Virtual and Augmented Reality in Grief Counseling: Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been used in grief counseling to help individuals cope with loss by creating immersive experiences of their loved ones. These tools provide a sense of presence, which has been found to help some individuals confront and process their grief. Research Example: A study by Juan et al. (2014) explored the use of virtual reality to help people say goodbye to deceased loved ones. Their findings suggest that virtual interactions may offer closure and aid in emotional processing. Similarly, AI-generated messages or likenesses could offer a sense of connection and closure.

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Impact of Technology on Grieving

Cognitive Behavioral Approaches: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches individuals to change their thought patterns to improve emotional well-being. AI-generated messages could potentially reinforce positive memories and provide comforting reminders of shared experiences. By focusing on positive interactions, individuals might reframe negative emotions related to loss. Research Example: Research on CBT and grief, such as that conducted by Wagner et al. (2006), shows that positive reframing of memories can reduce distress. AI-generated likenesses might aid in this reframing by enabling users to recall cherished moments with their loved ones.

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