ABSTRACT

In this study, six stories of unusually complicated bereavement are explored from a hermeneutic phenomenological perspective. The study focuses upon the question: What is the lived experience of grieving? Experiences of problematic bereavement are explored against the background of grieving in general. Through the craft of a hermeneutic text, the reader is drawn into an insightful and provocative interpretation of several thematic dimensions revealed in bereavement experience. The following themes are addressed: the nature of the reality of loss, the transformation of the personal meaning of the connection between persons, the character of human bonding which is revealed through grieving, bereavement as an ongoing experience of limbo and self paralysis, and bereavement as a confrontation with death. Implications for theory, research and counseling are explored in the light of both existing theories, and human science research and literature related to human meaning and bereavement. Finally, the author's experience of the hermeneutic phenomenological approach as a research process is examined, and limitations of the study are noted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CEAPTER 1 ESTABLISHING A HOME FOR THE QUESTION

Introduction 1

Existing Perspectives on Grieving 5

General Trends 5

Grief, Grieving, Mourning and Bereavement 7

Grieving and Context 8

The Process of Grief Resolution 10

The Outcome of Grieving: Identity and Meaning . 13

Errant Paths 16

The Treatment of Grieving 18

Summary of Existing Perspectives 19

CEAPTER 2 A WAY TO UNDERSTANDING BEREAVEMENT EXPERIENCE

Introduction 22

Hermeneutic Phenomenology and Human Experience 23

Background Preparation for the Study 27

Pilot Studies 27

Preunderstandings 28

Conducting the Study 29

Ethical Safeguards 29

Participants and Sampling 30

The Conversations 31

Analysis and Textual Interpretation 35

Knowledge Claims in Human Science Research 38

CEAPTER 3 THE STORIES RETOLD

Introduction 43

The Storied Nature of Bereavement 43

The Stories 45

Nina's Story 45

Death Looms Over Me 45

Discussion 49

Daniel's Story 49

Naming My Father, Finding Myself 50

Discussion 57

Reuben's Story 57

It's a Bad Dream, There Isn't Anybody There.. . 57

Discussion 62

Louise's Story 63

I Failed to Protect Her 63

Discussion 66

Ollie's Story . 67

I Went Home But No One Was There 68

Discussion 70

Charlie's Story 71

Caught In a No Man's Land of Grief 71

Discussion 75

Organizational Overview 76

CEAPTER 4 THE LOSS OF CONNECTION

Introduction 78

Cast Into Grieving 80

The Reality of the Loss 82

And The Connection Lives On 86

CEAPTER 5 TRANSFORMING THE MEANING OF THE CONNECTION

Introduction 88

Keeping the Connection 89

Transforming The Meaning of The Connection 91

Honouring the Connection 97

The Father-Son Bond and Grieving 100

Concluding Remarks 101

CEAPTER 6 BONDS TEAT SUSTAIN, BONDS TEAT RESTRAIN

Introduction 103

A Husband's Nightmare: There Isn't Anybody There . . � 105

A Mother's Anguish: I Failed To Protect 109

Losing a Parent: The Home of Existence 114

The Bonds of Grieving 117

CEAPTER 7 LIVING IN LIMBO

Introduction 119

The World of Limbo 120

The Path Out 127

CEAPTER 8 DEATH LOOMS OVER: FACING MORTALITY

Introduction 133

Death from a Distance 134

Outside of Grieving 137

Confronting Death 138

The Timing of Death 140

A Space for Death 141

The Horror of Death 143

The Challenge of Death 146

CEAPTER 9 TURNING HOMEWARD

Introduction 148

Theoretical and Research Implications 148

Clinical Implications 159

The Researcher's Experience 163

Limitations of the Study 168

REFERENCES 171

APPENDIX A

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE 181

APPENDIX B

BACKGROUND INFORMATION, RECORD OF CONVERSATIONS 182

APPENDIX C

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 184

APPENDIX D

EXCERPTS FROM ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPTS 185

APPENDIX E

PARTICIPANT REFLECTIONS 197

© Max van Manen, 2002
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