Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-09-05DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2556111
Michal Mahat-Shamir, Hagit Freireich-Eyal
{"title":"When the mirror breaks: Meaning-making in twin loss.","authors":"Michal Mahat-Shamir, Hagit Freireich-Eyal","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2556111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2556111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite well-documented intimacy within twin relationships, meaning-making processes following twin loss remain underexplored. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this study investigated how individuals reconstruct meaning after losing a twin. Semi-structured interviews with eleven adult twins who lost a twin identified two primary themes: (a) physical amputation and (b) alone in a world meant for two. Participants utilized embodied metaphors like \"amputation\" and \"tear,\" emphasizing the existential rupture and incompleteness resulting from their loss. Twinship was depicted as fundamentally relational, shaping self-perception and life narratives. Findings underscore the need to recognize bereaved twins as a distinct group requiring specialized therapeutic support, guided by relationally sensitive meaning reconstruction approaches. Future research should examine cross-cultural contexts and potential differences between identical and fraternal twins.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145005972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-09-05DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2556109
Ruth Maytles, Yaira Hamama-Raz
{"title":"Bereaved grandparents' meaning in life: The role of social acknowledgment, social support, and continuing bonds-a preliminary research.","authors":"Ruth Maytles, Yaira Hamama-Raz","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2556109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2556109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Losing a grandchild can deeply challenge grandparents' sense of meaning in life, as grandchildren hold a significant role in their lives. While social acknowledgment, social support, and continuing bonds are known to play crucial roles in the grieving process, their specific contributions to meaning in life among bereaved grandparents remain underexplored. This preliminary study examines these associations and identifies key predictors of meaning in life within this often-overlooked population. The sample consists of 74 bereaved Israeli grandparents who lost their grandchild under various circumstances. Data were analyzed using correlations, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis. Findings indicate that high social acknowledgment and social support are significant predictors positively correlated with meaning in life. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that higher social acknowledgment predicted greater social support, which in turn was associated with a higher presence of meaning. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing acknowledgment and support for bereaved grandparents.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144999963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-09-05DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2556125
Heejin Chung, Soyoung Shin
{"title":"Suffering in silence - Clinical nurses' miscarriage experience in South Korea: A qualitative study.","authors":"Heejin Chung, Soyoung Shin","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2556125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2556125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globally, despite the existence of policies intended to protect pregnant clinical nurses, many continue to face various risks during pregnancy, and inadequate support systems contribute to an increased risk of miscarriage. Particularly in South Korea, the miscarriage experiences of clinical nurses have yet to be thoroughly explored. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of clinical nurses following miscarriage within the context of their professional roles. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, utilizing one-on-one interviews with eight nurses. Data were analyzed thematically. Participants reported experiencing significant emotional distress while continuing to work in unsupportive clinical environments, with limited opportunities for rest and recovery. Negative perceptions toward pregnancy were prevalent, influenced by chronic staff shortages, rigid organizational culture, and insufficient institutional support. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive organizational policies and support systems to foster a safer and more supportive workplace for pregnant nurses and those recovering from miscarriage.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144999966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-09-03DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2551376
Laura T Bolasell, Maarten C Eisma, Alice M Abadi, Alice E Brunnet, Christian H Kristensen
{"title":"Loss circumstances, grief and political dissatisfaction following COVID-19 deaths in Brazil: A qualitative study.","authors":"Laura T Bolasell, Maarten C Eisma, Alice M Abadi, Alice E Brunnet, Christian H Kristensen","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2551376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2551376","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to elucidate the grief experiences of Brazilian COVID-19 bereaved adults by exploring both helpful and unhelpful experiencesSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants, and the data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) healthcare experiences, (2) circumstances of death, (3) the grief experience, and (4) dissatisfaction with COVID-19 crisis management. The themes revealed that the quality of hospital care, including both positive and negative interactions with healthcare professionals, shaped perceptions of death. Experiencing the death as sudden and constraints on visitation and restrictions on farewell rituals were reported to negatively affect the grief experience. Many participants expressed dissatisfaction with political crisis management and believed the death could have been prevented. These findings highlight the potential impact of circumstances surrounding COVID-19-related deaths on the grief experience, underscoring the need for clinical interventions and public health policies to optimize end-of-life and bereavement care during pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144991721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Coping with suicide bereavement: A focus-group study of adaptation processes over time.","authors":"Clémence Jacquet, Geoffrey Gauvin, Edouard Leaune, Damien Fouques","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2551378","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2551378","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This qualitative study explored the coping resources mobilized by individuals bereaved by suicide and examined how these processes evolve over time. Twenty-one participants, bereaved for at least 14 months, took part in five semi-structured focus groups. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, allowing the identification of key themes and temporal dynamics. Two major phases emerged from participants' narratives. Initially, participants relied on survival strategies and sought meaning through routines, social support, and information-seeking. Over time, participants reported engaging in deeper restructuring processes: reorganizing their daily lives, redefining their identity, and reshaping the bonds with the deceased. Emotionally salient moments-such as anniversaries-were described as both challenging and potentially meaningful. The findings highlight the complexity and non-linearity of suicide grief, with multidimensional processes unfolding over time. These findings offer valuable insights into the lived experiences of people bereaved by suicide and suggest the need for flexible, tailored clinical support.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-29DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2551368
Sarah E Clem, Todd D Becker, Paul Sacco, John G Cagle
{"title":"Assessing prioritization of a good death across Brazil, Italy, Japan, and the United States: A psychometric evaluation.","authors":"Sarah E Clem, Todd D Becker, Paul Sacco, John G Cagle","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2551368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2551368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Empirically vetted measures capturing individual priorities for a good death are lacking. This study assessed the measurement properties, measurement invariance, and internal consistency reliability of a prospective measure, Prioritization of a Good Death Index. We used data from a probability sample (<i>N</i> = 4,239) of the general public in Brazil (<i>n</i> = 1,233), Italy (<i>n</i> = 1,000), Japan (<i>n</i> = 1,000), and the United States (<i>n</i> = 1,006). We assessed aims through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multi-group CFA, and composite reliability, coefficient H, and average variance extracted. CFA results indicated adequate fit for the full sample, <i>χ</i><sup>2</sup>(14) = 174.41, <i>p</i><.001 (CFI = .96, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .05, SRMR = .93), and within each country subsample. Multi-group CFA results did not support scalar invariance, indicating differing end-of-life values across country subsamples. Sufficient internal consistency reliability was achieved within each country. These initial results support the use of the Prioritization of a Good Death Index as a valid and reliable measure to assess end-of-life preferences in practice and research.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2551377
Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari, Hilit Erel-Brodsky, Lia Ring, Elad Mijalevich-Soker
{"title":"Terror management theory in action during a realtime mortality salience experience: The case of parents' and grandparents' reactions to wartime.","authors":"Orit Taubman-Ben-Ari, Hilit Erel-Brodsky, Lia Ring, Elad Mijalevich-Soker","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2551377","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2551377","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study qualitatively analyzed parents' and grandparents' reactions to the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing war, utilizing a priori a deductive approach with Terror Management Theory (TMT) for the analysis. Israeli parents (19) and grandparents (17) were interviewed up to one month following the event. The findings are presented through two themes. The first indicates that the events raised a dramatic mortality salience, whereas the second, consisting of three sub-themes, shows how this real-life mortality salience led to both the breakdown of TMT regulating mechanisms and their reestablishment through enhancing self-esteem, validating cultural worldviews and actively seeking to be close to significant others. Whereas most previous studies concentrated on traumatic responses in such events, this study offers a solid validated theory dealing with death awareness as an explanation to such responses, thus helping to further elaborate both the conceptualization and application of TMT.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2547237
Helen Hewson, Niall Galbraith, Claire Jones, Gemma Heath
{"title":"A longitudinal study of sensory and quasi-sensory experiences following bereavement using interpretative phenomenological analysis.","authors":"Helen Hewson, Niall Galbraith, Claire Jones, Gemma Heath","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2547237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2547237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This longitudinal qualitative study describes the lived experience of 'sensory and quasi-sensory experiences of the deceased' following bereavement. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with four bereaved individuals at 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months post-bereavement. Following transcription, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of each account allowed for a description and interpretation of recursive and processual change, over time. The findings report four themes: 'the deceased as present, nearby, or somehow accessible', 'resolution, relocation and configuration', 'maneuvering closeness and comfort', and 'transforming, unfolding and enacting narrative futures'. The findings show that sensory and quasi-sensory experiences involving the deceased foster continuing bonds and are meaningful. The study outcomes bring novel insights into how such experiences unfold and affect bereavement.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2547241
Buket Şimşek Arslan, Sevinç Sütlü
{"title":"Relationship between lifestyle changes, psychological well-being, and grief impairment in elderly after death of spouse.","authors":"Buket Şimşek Arslan, Sevinç Sütlü","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2547241","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2547241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between lifestyle changes, psychological well-being, and grief functioning in elderly after death of spouse. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 291 elderly. Personal Information Form, Katz Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Lawton Instrumental ADL Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale for Older People, and Grief Impairment Scale were used. According to the results, changes in the elderly's health, relationships with their children and relatives/friends, and religious practices after the death of their spouses were associated with impairment in grief-related functioning. As the participants' level of independence increases, their level of psychological well-being increases, and their impairment decreases. As the participants' impairment increases, their level of psychological well-being decreases. It is thought that grief counseling to be offered to the elderly after a spouse loss will increase psychological well-being and positively affect functionality.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Death StudiesPub Date : 2025-08-22DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2547239
Lisbeth Hybholt, Maja O'Connor, Malene Hoffmann Buskbjerg, Lene Holm Larsen
{"title":"Knowledge production in participatory grief research: A dialogical theoretical approach.","authors":"Lisbeth Hybholt, Maja O'Connor, Malene Hoffmann Buskbjerg, Lene Holm Larsen","doi":"10.1080/07481187.2025.2547239","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2547239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this article, we explore how knowledge is co-constructed in a participatory grief research project. The empirical data comprise audio recordings of nine three-hour meetings, summaries of meetings, and the project outcome, i.e., an expanded version of the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (DPM). The aim of this article is to examine how dialogical dynamics shaped knowledge production in a participatory grief research project and to contribute to the development of participatory methods in bereavement research. Through a dialogical approach to participatory knowledge production as the analytical lens, we identified moments of tension and relational engagement in the group dialogues and examined how certain grief experiences came to be included as outcomes while others did not. We present two examples to illustrate how different dialogical processes either facilitated or hindered the recognition and inclusion of diverse grief experiences in the expanded DPM. Our findings underscore the importance of relational engagement, openness to diverse perspectives, and willingness to revisit silenced contributions. We reflect on how these processes may shape participatory knowledge production and suggest ways to support even more inclusive and reflexive dialogues in participatory grief research.</p>","PeriodicalId":11041,"journal":{"name":"Death Studies","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}