
Published: |Last updated:
Listen to this article
Show Quick ReadConcise summary from this article
Disenfranchised grief occurs when individuals have a loss, and those who experience it do not receive the understanding or support they need (Tietsort et al., 2023; Woodlock et al., 2023; Kaur-Aujila et al., 2022). Individuals who experienced a loss did not receive the same level of support as others (Silva et al., 2023; Betriana & Kongsuwan, 2019; Hidayati et al., 2023). Individuals felt that their losses did not deserve or…
Ask AI About This Article
Answers are limited to information in this article.
Disenfranchised grief occurs when individuals have a loss, and those who experience it do not receive the understanding or support they need (Tietsort et al., 2023; Woodlock et al., 2023; Kaur-Aujila et al., 2022). Individuals who experienced a loss did not receive the same level of support as others (Silva et al., 2023; Betriana & Kongsuwan, 2019; Hidayati et al., 2023). Individuals felt that their losses did not deserve or warrant the same support that other losses might. Instead, these individuals felt alienated and isolated, and their grief was not socially mourned or recognized openly (Silva et al., 2023; Shepherd et al., 2021).
Some individuals may be diagnosed with Prolonged Grief Disorder (Priegerson et al., 2021; Szuhany et al., 2021; Eisma, 2023). Dakota, a bereavement expert, developed the term disenfranchised grief in 1989 (Cepulliene, 2022; Eisma & Boelen, 2023; Doka, 2019; Crossley & Rolland, 2022). People experiencing disenfranchised grief are at risk of experiencing further psychological complications (Tietsort et al., 2023; Hurst & Kannangara, 2022). Individuals experiencing this type of grief can develop symptoms of sadness, despair, anger, and guilt (Lu et al., 2023; Leitch, 2022; Meichsner et al., 2020). Additionally, there can be physical symptoms that accompany grief. Physical symptoms may include sleep challenges and appetite fluctuations (Lu et al., 2023; Mason et al., 2020; Esplen et al., 2022). Other complications experienced from disenfranchised grief include loneliness, anxiety, depression, shame, and embarrassment (Lu et al., 2023; Pack, 2020; Leidl et al., 2022). One experience that causes people to experience this type of grief is the loss of a pet (Spain et al., 2019; Gore, 2019; Wayland & Maple, 2020; Cameron et al., 2022).
The prevalence of disenfranchised grief due to pet loss in North America is estimated to be approximately 30% of pet owners (Adams et al., 2000; Adrian & Stitt, 2019). Furthermore, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet (Applebaum et al., 2020; Holland, 2019; Sanchez et al., 2023). A 30% rate of disenfranchised grief due to pet loss would equal nearly 26 million people experiencing disenfranchised grief due to pet loss in the United States, making it a significant mental health concern. Approximately ten percent of those experiencing grief experience Prolonged Grief Disorder (Killikelli et al., 2019; Strada, 2019; Rammohan et al., 2021). Disenfranchised grief is associated with challenges to mental and physical health (Tang & Xiang, 2021; Tietsort et al., 2023; Woodlock et al., 2023). Accompanying mental health disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (Tsai et al., 2020; Falzarano et al., 2022; Frazer, 2022). Individuals experiencing disenfranchised grief due to pet loss have a higher risk of experiencing depressive disorders or trauma disorders (Leitch, 2022; Wojtkowiak et al., 2021; Berry, 2022). The rates of males and females experiencing disenfranchised grief due to pet loss are slightly higher for females (men: 79%, women: 81%) (Lundorff et al., 2020; Obst et al., 2020; Pack, 2020). Children and older adults appear to be most impacted by this grief (Marr et al., 2022; Ojala et al., 2021; Bindley et al., 2019). Accessing mental health treatment to treat this grief can be challenging as they encounter the lack of support they need (Smith et al., 2019; Betriana & Kongsuwan, 2019).
The impact of disenfranchised grief due to pet loss can extend beyond the immediate circumstances. Potential consequences of disenfranchised grief due to pet loss include increased loneliness, isolation, and depressive symptoms (Carr et al., 2020; Tasai et al., 2020). Subsequently, coping skills to manage disenfranchised grief due to pet loss and reduce the negative behavioral health consequences will be examined in this study. The type of study to be conducted will be a systemic review (Newman & Gough, 2020; Stern et al., 2021). Through this approach research will be collected that will be used to answer the research questions. The expectation is that the research gathered will help to inform the study on what coping skills can be utilized by pet owners experiencing disenfranchised grief from pet loss.
Marc A. Campos-Pantoja, MPH, LCSW, PhD, PsyD is a licensed psychotherapist in California who helps clients throughout California with managing their grief experiences after losing their. Please contact Dr. Campos-Pantoja at marcc75@proton.me
Promote your articles nowCheck for details
Choose a promotion package
Choose a package below, scan the QR code and pay the displayed amount for 20 days.
After payment, email your article title and payment screenshot to info@yourneeds.asia. Once confirmation is received, one of our administrators will activate the promotion.

Email your payment screenshot and article title to info@yourneeds.asia. Once confirmation is received, one of our administrators will activate your article.
Suggested Articles
View all articles
How to Find the Best Elakizhi Massage Therapy in Bangalore
The best Elakizhi massage therapy in Bangalore comes from centres with a documented Ayurvedic lineage, physician-led consultation before treatment, therapists trained specifically in potli…
Painless Root Canal Treatment in Chandigarh
Let’s be real—no one wants a root canal. Most patients who sit in my chair start with the same line: “Doctor, will it hurt?”…
Simple Guide to Buying Medicine Safely Online
Prescription remedy online has ended up a common option for people searching for comfort and privacy when dealing with their fitness. Many people now…
Best Skin Care Clinics in Chandigarh
Ever felt like you’re doing everything right—using good products, following routines—and yet your skin still isn’t where you want it to be? You’re not…
Latest Blog Posts
View all articles
Exploring Adobe Programmatic Advertising Unlocking its Potential
Welcome to the digital frontier. Exploring Adobe Programmatic Advertising unlocking its potential can revolutionize your marketing strategy, delivering highly targeted, AI-driven campaigns across every…
What Is Integrated Marketing? The Complete Guide
Companies spend enormous budgets producing ads, emails, landing pages, and social content — yet a huge portion of that investment quietly leaks away for…
Inbound Marketing Automation: A Smarter Way to Grow Leads
Inbound marketing automation helps businesses attract, nurture, and convert prospects through personalized workflows that respond to customer behavior. By connecting content, email, CRM data,…
How Does Land Near Smart Cities Appreciate? Key Factors Driving Property Growth
As cities expand and infrastructure becomes increasingly sophisticated, the areas surrounding major urban hubs are attracting growing attention from land investors. One trend that…
Rubbermaid Commercial Products APAC – India
Rubbermaid Commercial Products APAC – India is a trusted provider of high-performance cleaning, waste management, hygiene, safety, and material handling solutions designed for Indian…
Best Salon in Cumming GA (2026 Guide) | Hair Salon in Cumming, GA
Best Salon in Cumming GA (2026 Guide) Discover Full-Service Hair, Skin, Nail & Beauty Salons in Cumming, Georgia Last Updated: August 2026 Finding the…
