The purpose of this study was to comprehend and illustrate what bereaved widows
experienced during their grieving and bereavement process. It succinctly and
poignantly intended to investigate the psyche of the bereaved person and understand
what it really meant to lose a spouse.
The grieving process poses a range of unique daily challenges for anyone who has lost
a spouse. The widowed in this research were all distinctly faced with different
experiences, occurrences and responses to their everyday predicaments. This study
therefore endeavoured to delve beyond the intricacies and complexities of death and
had intensely explored the psyche of the bereaved person in order to understand what it
actually meant to lose a spouse.
The sample consisted of 12 recently bereaved widows in an old age home and a
comparative group of 12 widows living with their relatives. A qualitative study was
employed to gain insight into the experiences of the recently bereaved . The results
gave insight into the emotions experienced and coping mechanisms of the bereaved .
The results indicated the multirole phenomenon which bereavement placed on the
widowed , which , depending on the ability and desire to compensate for their new
conflicting demands, as well as their responsibilities that had prevailed and how they
had to come to terms with their depressing and disheartening challenges. Those results
profoundly influenced the veracity of their grief reaction.
It is therefore that based on this study, assistance and support can be mobilised by the
South African Government who could provide the stanchion for more trained
professionals and counselors to assist with the behavioural and cognitive challenges
that consequences from the passing away of a spouse. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.(Clinical psychology) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/15911 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Tsambos, Moyra Gail |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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