Ambiguous Losses

Ambiguous loss, a term coined by psychology expert Pauline Boss, refers to a type of grief that lacks clear resolution or closure. This concept can be divided into two types: physical absence with psychological presence (e.g., a loved one who is missing) and physical presence with psychological absence (e.g., a loved one with dementia).

Several podcasts explore this topic in depth:

1. Esther Perel on The Diary Of A CEO:

   • Esther Perel discusses how modern distractions like phone addiction lead to emotional absence in relationships, causing ambiguous loss where partners are physically present but emotionally detached 1.

2. Pauline Boss on On Being with Krista Tippett:

   • Pauline Boss elaborates on ambiguous loss during a global pandemic, explaining how societal restrictions and uncertainties amplify this form of grief 2.
   • She also discusses how divorce can be an ambiguous loss, where the relationship is legally ended but emotionally unresolved, especially when co-parenting 3.
     • 

       1

       Ambiguous Loss

       00:27:35
       
     • 

       2

       Ambiguous Loss in a Pandemic

       00:00:00
     • 

       3

       Ambiguous Loss

       01:09:35
     • 

       4

       Ambiguous Loss and Complicated Grief

       00:21:07
     • 

       5

       Moving on from a Breakup

       00:25:10
   • In another episode, she highlights the difference between ambiguous loss and traditional grief, stressing the non-pathological nature of the former and its chronic, unresolved characteristics 4.

3. Jordan Harbinger Show:

   • In a conversation on coping with breakups, Gabriel Mizrahi explains how ambiguous loss manifests in relationships lacking clear closure, emphasizing the need to accept the ambiguity to move forward 5.

These discussions underscore the multifaceted nature of ambiguous loss, impacting personal relationships, societal interactions, and emotional well-being across various contexts.