Losses are part of the human experience, and they can range from the trivial to the traumatic, from temporary to permanent, from anticipated to the unexpected, from short-term to extended, from merely upsetting to catastrophic, from symbolic to physical, with singular or multiple consequences.

For example, loss of a partner through divorce may terminate in-law relations and sometimes friends. So, losses will differ in their impact on our individual lives as well as our behavior as members of groups, such as the family.

Copyright 2000