Experience of conjugal bereavement among Filipino women

• Main Author: Devasia, Mathilakathu Ginu
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Bereavement—Philippines; Widows > Philippines; Counseling Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/7130
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study explored the conjugal bereavement experience of Filipino women using a qualitative research design specifically consensual qualitative research method (CQR). The respondents of the study consisted of 12 Filipino widows within the age bracket of 40-60. The respondents also were selected according to socio economic status as upper, middle and lower class. For a deeper understanding the bereavement experience of the women, their stressors, resources and coping strategies were described. Findings indicate that the conjugal loss is initially devastating experience for the widows and the pass through severe emotional disturbance, cognitive changes, and behavioral and physical manifestations of this experiences. A transition of experience can be generally observed among these Filipino namely period of retreating, disintegration, integration, spiritual growth, mostly based on their resources and coping strategies. The first two periods were characterized by maladaptive coping strategies and later stages they use more adaptive and problem solving strategies. Social support and personal strengths are two significant factors influencing the conjugal bereavement experience. This study also pointed out that socio economic factors, culture, duration of death, context of loss etc plays an important role in the bereavement period. A new and significant focus that emerged in this study is the bereavement experience can result different experiences among the participants life namely they were able to make certain kind of personal growth and improvements in mental health functioning. By passing through the bereavement experience some of widows in the study had greater and heightened capacity for reflection about their lives, values in life as well as it changed the perception n about death and life. The participants also had changes in their central assumptions, beliefs, and attitudes about life, death, love, compassion. They were able to find new meaning to life and the loss of their husband and other related issues of life they are facing in day to day life. And based on the findings the implications for bereavement counseling were proposed which suggested that the counselor can helps bereaved by having a clear understanding about the factors, resources and the challenges in their life. And this study facilitates the counselors to accept, acknowledge, and move forward in their life with adaptation and change, not forgetting or wiping out the memory.