First Advisor
Tina Burdsall
Date of Award
Spring 6-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology and University Honors
Department
Psychology
Language
English
Subjects
Ambiguous loss, grief, substance abuse, problematic substance use, social death
Abstract
Substance use creates a ripple effect, affecting the individual as well as their family members. The struggles associated with problematic substance use result in feelings of ambiguous loss towards the substance using individual, a type of loss in which a person is still living but either psychologically or physically unavailable. This research explores the experiences of ambiguous loss in college students with loved ones struggling with substance use, examining how they are thrust into caregiving roles, experience support, and find meaning within their loss. Seven semi-structured interviews were held with adult college students who identified as having a loved-one struggling through substance use. It was found that participants witnessed the social death of their loved ones while navigating a lack of support. Despite experiencing ambiguous loss and grief, they also demonstrated remarkable meaning-making and resilience.
Recommended Citation
King, Margaret M., "“I Still Care About Her”: Ambiguous Loss and Social Death in Substance-Affected Relationships" (2026). University Honors Theses. Paper 1855.