Concept Analysis of Disenfranchised Grief Within a Nursing Paradigm: To Awaken Our Caring Humanity

Abstract

Disenfranchised grief is experienced during bereavement loss and after the loss of something personal, physical, or psychological in which a person lacks societal witnessing, empathy, or validation of their loss. A concept analysis was performed to identify the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of disenfranchised grief. A model case was developed to assist nurses in identifying patterns of disenfranchised grief. Grounded within the Unitary Caring Science paradigm, a new definition of disenfranchised grief was developed. Recommendations framed through the lens of Unitary Caring Science will guide nursing research and practice to enfranchise and humanize the grief experience.