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Changes experienced by and the future values of bereaved family members determined using narratives from bereavement life review therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2013

Michiyo Ando ,
Yukihiro Sakaguchi ,
Yasufumi Shiihara  and
Kumi Izuhara
Michiyo Ando*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, St. Mary's College, Fukuoka, Japan
Yukihiro Sakaguchi
Affiliation:
School of Human Welfare Studies, Kwansai Gakuin University, Osaka, Japan
Yasufumi Shiihara
Affiliation:
Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Japan
Kumi Izuhara
Affiliation:
Customer Service Department, Koekisha Co. Ltd., Osaka Head Office, Osaka, Japan
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Michiyo Ando, St. Mary's College, Tsubukuhonmachi 422, Kurume City, Fukuoka, Japan. E-mail: andou@st-mary.ac.jp
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Abstract

Objectives:

The goals of this study were to investigate the changes experienced by bereaved family members in Japan and to determine what activities they would value in the future based on narratives from a bereavement life review, which is a type of psychotherapy used to treat depression and promote spiritual well-being.

Methods:

The participants were 20 bereaved Japanese family members who underwent two sessions of bereavement life review over a period of two weeks.

Results:

Using qualitative analysis, we identified four areas of changes (“learning from the deceased's death and self-growth,” “healing process,” “relating with others,” “relating with society,” and “performing new family roles”) and five categories of valued activities (“continuing grief work,” “living with a philosophy,” “attaining life roles,” “keeping good human relationships,” and “enjoying life”).

Significance of results:

“Learning from the deceased's death and self-growth” and “relating with others” are common in Japan and Western countries, whereas “relating with society,” “healing process,” and “performing new family roles” are more characteristic of Japan. The strength of bonding with the deceased may influence the values of bereaved family members. We concluded that bereavement life review therapy can contribute positively to their grief work.

Keywords

Bereaved familyChangesValuesBereavement life review
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , February 2015 , pp. 59 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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