Veer, Roel van der (2023) The mourning after: how bereaved in the Netherlands find a place for their loss. Master thesis.
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2023-07-05 Master's thesis definitive version.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Many studies have shown that grief is associated with increased emotional distress, physical disease and mortality. In this study, the ways in which people in the Netherlands cope with the loss of a significant other to restore their wellbeing were examined through qualitative research methods. Given little research has been done on the role of attachment to meaningful places and linking objects after bereavement, the second aim of this study was to seek the role of these meanings in the grieving process, which was performed through photo-elicitation coupled with follow-up in-depth interviews as well. Data analysis was performed in times of COVID-19 using constructivist grounded theory, which yielded an inductive and hermeneutical model indicating various aspects of coping with bereavement. As for my research group, it was found that people in the Netherlands coped with the loss of a close one in their own personal way and by consoling fellow bereaved. Also, the grieving process did not necessarily result in detachment from or letting go of the deceased, but rather in maintaining or transforming the bond through attachment to meaningful places and linking objects; these alleviate distress. It is recommended for the bereaved to alter their environments to cherish and keep the deceased and associated meaningful memories close-by, which can aid in reconstructing the meaning of their loss to attenuate their grief and restore wellbeing. Future longitudinal research is deemed valuable for examining the transformation of continuing bonds and changing place meanings through time.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Population Studies |
| Supervisor: | Haas, B. de and Lowe, T.A. |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2023 08:53 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2023 08:53 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4216 |
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