Do Immediate Grief-Crisis Interventions Positively Impact Coping in Survivors of Sudden, Violent Death?

It is assumed that the acquisition of new skills & the chance for emotional expression provided by immediate crisis interventions bring the potential not just for the alleviation of distress but for psychological growth & maturity as well. This assumption seems to be particularly true with crises involving sudden, violent death caused by accident, suicide, or homicide. This paper will attempt to support this hypothesis through a review of the relevant literature on proposed & tested interventions. Elements of interventions which contribute to the smooth delivery of services are discussed. More research into the effectiveness of small-group interventions is called for. (14 refs.)