Existential and Spiritual Issues in Death Attitudes

Existential and Spiritual Issues in Death Attitudesprovides: an in-depth examination of death attitudes, existentialism, and spirituality and their relationships; a review of the major theoretical models; clinical applications of these models to issues such as infertility, bereavement, anxiety, and suicide; and an introduction to meaning management theory and how it can be applied to grief counseling. In this new volume, death is treated both as a threat to meaning and as an opportunity to create meaning. The first section introduces theory and methodology to connect the latest empirical research on death attitudes to the philosophical/psychological existential and spirituality literature. Part II presents the latest empirical research on subjects such as end-of-life decisions and living with HIV. The final section considers therapeutic applications to issues including suicide, infertility, bereavement, and anxiety. The concluding chapter highlights the book "s common themes and provides questions to encourage further investigation of the most critical topics. Psychologists, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, and religious leaders, as well as academics in the fields of psychology, gerontology, philosophy, religion, counseling, social work, sociology, and medicine will value this new resource. Main points summarize important ideas of each chapter, making it an appropriate text in courses on death and dying and/or and spirituality. Its clinical applications will appeal to practicing professionals.

Adrian Tomer, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Shippensburg University. Since receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1989, he has published much research and organized international symposia on the topics of death, dying, and meaning. 
Grafton Eliason, Ed.D., M.Div. is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at California University of Pennsylvania. He provides services to the community as a licensed professional counselor, an ordained minister, and a member of the Red Cross. Grafton received his Ed.D. in counselor education and supervision from Duquesne University and his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. 
Paul T.P. Wong, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Counseling Psychology at Trinity Western University.  The Founding President of the International Network on Personal Meaning and the International Society for Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, Dr. Wong received is Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto.