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Canberra Today 22°/27° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Friend’s death hits hard, says report

THE trauma caused by the death of a close friend endures four times longer than previously believed, according to new ANU research.

The study shows the death of a close friend will significantly affect a person’s physical, psychological and social well-being up to at least four years.

Dr Wai-Man (Raymond) Liu… “The death of a friend is a form of disenfranchised grief.”

Previous studies suggested the grieving period lasted for around 12 months.

The study analysed longitudinal data and indicators of health from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey of 26,515 Australians, of whom 9586 had experienced the death of at least one close friend.   

Lead author Dr Wai-Man (Raymond) Liu said the study found people grieving a close friend suffered a significant decline in physical health, mental health, emotional stability and social life.

“These findings raise serious concerns with the way we manage the recovery for people dealing with the loss of a close friend,” said Dr Liu.

“We all know that when someone loses a partner, parent or child, that person is likely to suffer through a significant grieving period.

“Yet death of a close friend, which most of us will experience, is not afforded the same level of seriousness by employers, doctors and the community.

“The death of a friend is a form of disenfranchised grief – one not taken so seriously or afforded such significance.

“This is leaving people without the support and services they need during a very traumatic period of their lives.”

Dr Liu has called on medical practitioners and policymakers to rethink the way they approach dealing with people’s grief after the loss of a friend.

 

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