Dual Process Model of Grief (Stroebe & Schut) — Applied

The Dual Process Model (DPM) proposes that healthy grieving involves oscillation between two orientations: loss-oriented coping (confronting the grief itself—crying, yearning, dwelling on the deceased) and restoration-oriented coping (attending to life changes that result from loss—learning new skills, forming new identities, managing daily tasks). The critical insight is that neither orientation alone constitutes healthy grief. People who only do loss-oriented processing become stuck in chronic grief; those who only do restoration work may experience delayed grief complications. The oscillation between the two—sometimes within the same hour—is the adaptive mechanism. This model also explains gender differences: many men lean toward restoration orientation (practical tasks), which others may misread as 'not grieving properly.'

When to use it

When grieving individuals (including yourself) seem to swing between deep sadness and productive functioning and you're unsure if this is healthy. When designing organizational support after layoffs or major changes. When you notice someone is stuck exclusively in one orientation.

How it can help

This model is exceptionally useful for knowledge workers navigating major transitions because it validates both emotional processing AND practical forward motion. After a job loss, you might spend the morning updating your LinkedIn (restoration) and the afternoon mourning your lost team (loss-orientation)—the DPM says this oscillation IS the healthy response. Use it to: (1) stop judging yourself for 'not being productive' during grief or for 'avoiding your feelings' when you're being practical, (2) understand why some team members seem to 'move on too fast' while others seem stuck, (3) design reintegration timelines after organizational loss.