The experience of grief among the bereaved widowed at rotarus home for the aged Mafikeng

Abstract

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.