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1
Millar, Ewen Cameron. "The social construction of near-death experiences." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/26825.
Full textAbstract:
In this thesis I argue that the category Near-Death Experience (NDE) emerged in the late-twentieth century, and is structured by the discourses of 'Medicine' and 'Science', and the wider discursive factors of the 'Spiritual Marketplace'. Within NDE literature, the experiences of people coming out of their bodies in Operating Theatres, and then travelling to other realms, are considered to have parallels in the accounts of mystics, shamans, and religious visionaries of other cultures and other times. Against this, I argue that the category of the NDE does not "articulate the same field of discourse" (Foucault, 1969:24-25) as these other religious accounts. NDE researchers sift through these accounts in search of a common thread, but miss the wider social fabric of the religious narratives they seek to excavate, as well as the discursive location that structures their own research. In order to reposition this debate within its own history of ideas, I argue that the category "NDE" is itself dependent on the Operating Theatre for its emergence and initial appeal, and it is the Operating Theatre that makes the discourse of NDEs possible. Within the last 120 years, there have been many attempts to intersect science with anomalous experiences on the fringes of human consciousness: Psychical Research categorised deathbed visions in a wider schemata that was interested in how the fringes of the subconscious mind might yield evidence of another reality; contemporary Parapsychology looked at third-person accounts of deathbed visions recounted to Nurses and Doctors across the globe. Neither of these iscourses had the crossover into the wider 'public sphere' that Raymond Moody's book Life After Life (1975) did, a book that recounts first-person accounts of normal people, caught in extreme medical emergencies, who come out of their bodies, witness the medical teams' attempt to resuscitate them, visit a heavenly realm, and return to tell people about it. What is unique about the NDE is not the vision of a world after death, but the context in which this vision occurs. In Chapter 2 I explore that context by arguing that Psychical Researchers' investigation of mediums, apparitions, and deathbed visions sought to prove that posthumous existence of the Other (that is, one's relatives or friends who had passed on to the other side), and indirectly the Self. (Conversely, NDE research, seeks to prove the existence of the Self, and indirectly, the Other.) In Chapter 3 I examine how Medicine and the Modern Hospice Movement shaped the conditions of emergence of the category 'NDE'. The removal of 'death' from the public sphere into the private sphere of the West meant that death became something exotic. The idea that death was a defeat for modern medicine lead to the emergence of the modern Hospice movement, which opened up a space for the visions of those close to death to be recounted in the public sphere. The recounting of such experiences encapsulates a narrative that includes the Surgeon's intervention, the technology used in the Operating Theatre, and of the everyday man or woman talking about their visions, all of which gives these experiences a cultural currency that sets them apart from other religious and/or New Age accounts. In chapter 4 I recognise that, for these experiences to have an appeal, they must have a market to appeal to. Thus, I examine the 'Spiritual Marketplace', and argue that the NDE researchers fundamentally misread the appeal of their life after death accounts. NDE researchers felt that they had uncovered publicly verifiable evidence for life after death, which they expected to shake the foundations of Western society. Instead, these accounts were read as a curio in the privacy of the spiritual consumer's home, an interesting account that suggested death might not be the end of existence, but little else. When their vision of a spiritual revolution failed to materialise, the founders of the NDE movement fell into a bitter war about the precise signification of the category NDE, thus giving an indication of the fundamental indeterminacy of the category. In chapter 5 I explore how NDE research intersects with the discourse of "Science". I therefore examine the construction of science, the function of science, and the limits of science in NDE literature. I begin by examining how the narratives of science permeate NDE literature, and how all sides implicitly reinforce a binary of Science/Religion that emphasises the former as objective and neutral, and the latter as irrational belief. I then argue that, ultimately, NDEs happen at the very limits of human experience in a realm far outside of what can be answered by direct scientific observation; the debate tells us more about the different metaphysical presumptions present than it does about whether or not science can answer the question 'is there life after death?" In chapter 6 I argue that, in the discourse surrounding NDEs, death and mysticism become entwined as the 'exotic other'. I therefore examine how the categories 'death' and 'mysticism' are themselves both bound up in a particular web of signification. The NDE secures its own identity against an understanding of death born in clinical medicine and, latterly, Freudian psychoanalysis: death becomes a point, after which there is an unknown. Similarly, the NDE inherits an understanding of Mysticism that can be traced back to William James. Nevertheless, the understanding of 'death' throughout history is not fixed but fluid, depending on a myriad of cultural and social discourses. Similarly, the modern psychological definition of 'mysticism' as an ineffable, subjective experience is extremely narrow in comparison to the accounts of mystics in the Middle Ages. When the understanding of these two categories changes, the emphasis upon securing 'evidence' for life after death evaporates. This point is missed in contemporary NDE research that assumes that its own desire to find evidence of life after death is reflective of a universal need for humans to believe in religion: whilst NDE researchers believe that they have finally uncovered a window on to another world, I have argued that this is, in fact, a mirror of their own particular predilections and desires.
2
Burling, John William. "The function of culturally-created symbolic systems in the reduction of death anxiety." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184349.
Full textAbstract:
Several studies have attempted to assess the effects of death anxiety upon personality and behavior. However, only recently has research on this topic begun to develop a larger theoretical context within which many behaviors and intrapsychic mechanisms can be explained. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that people's symbolic investments, such as religious beliefs and status, are inflated when an individual is faced with events which make their personal mortality salient. Theoretically this inflation would help them buffer their anxieties about death. Subjects were selected for participation on the basis of scores on measures of status concern and religiosity, and were assigned to a mortality salience treatment or control condition. Results suggest limited support for the hypothesis. Though all predictions were not confirmed, some intriguing findings are noted. Implications of these findings are discussed.
3
Human, Melanie. "Psychosocial implications of stillbirth for the mother and her family : a crisis-support approach." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/80068.
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Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to South African annual statistics, stillbirth is a relevant issue and National health policies, social welfare services and health care providers should place special focus on pregnant women to avoid the possible occurrence of a negative pregnancy outcome such as a stillbirth. An event that should have been a joyous birth, ended in a tragic death, forcing the mother to deal with the emotions of birth and death simultaneously. The bereaved mother needs to receive special care and support as soon as possible and the crisis intervention approach is seen as being helpful to regain a sense of equilibrium in her and the family’s life before starting to adapt to the new situation. This study explores and describes the lived experience of 25 mothers who experienced a stillbirth. Focus was given to the psychosocial implications of stillbirth on mothers and their families. This study examined the mothers’ feelings about the stillbirth six months or longer after the event, as well as its impact on relationships with partners and other children. By adopting a crisis intervention approach, the effectiveness of crisis intervention shortly after the stillbirth could be investigated. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design to provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied, i.e. the psychosocial implications of stillbirth. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic (quantitative) data and a semi-structured questionnaire – the design based on information from literature - was administered during individual interviews. Obtained data was both measurable and rich in description and revealed that mothers still longed for their stillborn babies after a period of six or more months had passed. It also indicated that the father or partner of the baby and other children were affected by a stillbirth. Gender differences in how stillbirth is experienced by each partner, consequently adds extra tension on the relationship. Most of the mothers experienced the stillbirth as a crisis and found support in their mothers, family and a counsellor. Significantly, mothers felt crisis-intervention was beneficial, but preferred that crisis intervention be followed by on-going therapy. The stillbirth also resulted in feelings of alienation from community, friends and family - who did not know how to approach them. Generally, mothers were satisfied with medical care received but several issues regarding autopsy consent and guilt feelings surrounding this are highlighted. Important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that the crisis-intervention approach as method in social work is effective when rendering service for bereaved mothers and families after a stillbirth. It helps to regain a sense of equilibrium, but further intervention is recommended to facilitate the grief process. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of social workers being aware that the stillbirth causes tension in partner- and family relationships. Receiving social work intervention is not only highly effective, but allows bereaved mothers to feel empowered and encouraged to openly grieve for their stillborn babies - much needed in an environment where a stillbirth is seen as a silent birth.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens jaarlikse Suid-Afrikaanse statistieke, is stilgeboorte ‘n relevante onderwerp en die Nasionale gesondheidsbeleid, maatskaplike welsynsdienste en gesondheidssorgverskaffers moet fokus op swanger vroue ten einde moontlike negatiewe swangerskapuitkomstes, soos stilgeboorte, te voorkom. Tydens ‘n stilgeboorte, eindig die heuglike vooruitsig van ‘n geboorte in die tragiese afsterwe van die baba en word die moeder geforseer om emosies van geboorte en sterfte gelyktydig te hanteer. Sulke moeders benodig spesiale versorging asook ondersteuning so spoedig moontlik. Krisis intervensie is ‘n effektiewe metode om die moeder te help om ‘n mate van balans in haar en haar gesin se lewe te herwin voordat hulle kan begin aanpas by die nuwe situasie. Hierdie studie ondersoek en beskryf ervarings van 25 moeders wat ‘n stilgeboorte ervaar het. Fokus word geplaas op die psigososiale effek van stilgeboorte op moeders en hul gesinne. Moeders se gevoelens rakende die stilgeboorte ses maande of langer na die geboorte, is ondersoek, asook die effek daarvan op hul verhoudings met lewensmaats en ander kinders. Deur die krisis intervensie benadering te gebruik, kon die effektiwiteit daarvan kort na die stilgeboorte ondersoek word. Kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is in hierdie studie gebruik. Die studie veronderstel ʼn verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp om sodoende ʼn uitvoerige beskrywing van die psigososiale implikasie van stilgeboorte te verskaf. Data word verkry deur ʼn vraelyste - demografiese (kwantitatiewe) data, asook semigestruktureerde vraelyste (kwalitatief) wat tydens individuele onderhoude toegedien is. Die ontwerp van die semi-gestruktureerde vraelys is gebaseer op inligting vanuit die literatuurstudie. Die bevindinge van die empiriese ondersoek dui aan dat moeders na ses maande of langer steeds hunker na hul stilgebore babas. Geslagsverskille rakende die wyse waarop moeders en vaders die stilgeboorte ervaar dra gevolglik by tot ekstra spanning in die verhouding. Die meeste moeders het die stilgeboorte as ‘n krisis ervaar en het ondersteuning gevind by hulle moeders, gesinne en ‘n berader/maatskaplike werker. ‘n Beduidende bevinding was dat moeders krisis intervensie as voordelig beskou het, maar verkies dat dit opgevolg moet word deur deurlopende terapie. Die stilgeboorte veroorsaak ook dat die moeders ‘n gevoel van vereensaming van die gemeenskap, vriende en familie ervaar het. Volgens hulle was mense te bang en onseker in hoe om hulle te benader. In die algemeen was moeders tevrede met die mediese sorg wat hulle ontvang het, maar kwessies rakende toestemming en skuldgevoelens rondom nadoodse ondersoeke word uitgelig. Belangrike aanbevelings dui aan dat krisis intervensie as metode in maatskaplike werk effektief is ten opsigte van dienslewering vir ‘n moeder en haar gesin na ‘n stilgeboorte. Dit help om ‘n mate van balans te herstel, maar verdere intervensie word aanbeveel om die rouproses te fasiliteer. Die studie beklemtoon ook dat dit belangrik is dat maatskaplike werkers bewus moet wees dat ‘n stilgeboorte spanning veroorsaak in huweliks- en gesinsverhoudings. Die ontvangs van maatskaplike werk intervensie is nie net hoogs effektief nie, maar bemagtig en motiveer moeders om openlik te rou vir hulle stilgebore babas, iets wat nodig is in ‘n samelewing waar stilgeboorte as ‘n geboorte beskou word waaroor daar nie gepraat word nie.
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Hong, Lei, and 洪镭. "The association of dietary habits and socioeconomic factors with dietary related causes of death." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B50561674.
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Background：
Previous studies indicated that dietary habit or food-purchasing behaviors was associated with socioeconomic status. However, there is no study about potential association between social economic factors (individual and neighborhood levels) and dietary related mortality risks.
Objective:
1) To provide population based information on food consumption pattern among Hong Kong people from a diversity of socio-economic background.
2) Investigate the dietary habits and different food related death in Hong Kong people who were 65 or over.
3) Investigate the association of socioeconomic factors and food related death at individual (SES) and neighborhood (SDI) level.
Method:
The subjects we recruited in a lifestyle and mortality (LIMOR)study forall deceased people aged 65 or older. The LIMOR data was conducted by The University of Hong Kong, School of Public health in the year of 1997. I got access to part of the data for my study from the leading investigator (Dr. Daniel SY Ho). Dietary habits were measured by using semi-quantitative food frequency questions on seven most commonly consumed food groups by Hong Kong residents: vegetables, fruits, soy and dairy products fish, meat and Chinese tea.Mortality in 1998 due to non-accidental causes (ICD9: 001—799) was examined. In my study, mortality due to specific categories of cardio-respiratory causes was regarded as the case and the due to pneumonia was regarded as the control. Binary logistic regression was used for assessment of odds ratio with adjustment for confounders.
Result:
Regular consumption of fruit was significantly (P<0.01) related to lower mortality due to COPD with adjusted OR =0.77 (95%CI 0.63-0.94) and regular consumption of vegetables was significantly(p<0.05) related to lower mortality due tocolon cancer with adjusted OR =0.58 (95%CI 0. 33-1.00). Milk consumption was significantly(p<0.05) related to higher mortality for both ischemicheart disease (adjusted OR=1.25; 95%CI 1.02-1.51) and COPD (p<0.01 adjusted OR=1.37; 95%CI 1.08-1.73) for people aged over 65. In my study, fish consumption was significantly (p<0.05) associated with lower mortality due to stomach cancer with adjusted OR=0.47 (95%CI 0.30-0.75). Meat consistently showed positive correlation with all f the causes of death, however, none of them were significant. Soy consumption was consistently and non-significantly shown to have a negative association with different causes of death, except COPD. Tea was negatively associated with COPD and hypertension, though none of them were significant. For those who lived in homeowner‘s scheme house, they were more likely (p<0.05) to have hypertension (OR=1.79; 95%CI 1.03-3.13). Also for people who lived in private houses, they were more likely (p<0.05) to died from IHD (OR=1.27; 95%CI 1.09-1.60) and colon cancer (OR=1.27; 95%CI 1.01-1.59) death. People who had primary (OR=1.45; 95%CI 1.12-1.86) and secondary and above education(OR=1.27; 95%CI 1.01-1.59) had a significantly (p<0.05) association with mortality due to colon cancer. People who had low SES and lived in high SDI area were less likely (p<0.05) to die fromischemic heart disease (OR=0.41; 95%CI 0.17-0.98).
Conclusion:
In Hong Kong, people who had higher education tended to consume more dairy products than lower education group and they were more likely to die from colon cancer. People who lived in private houses had higher consumption of dairy products than those lived in public estate and they were more likely to die from IHD and colon cancer. For people who had high SES, no matter which SDI areas they lived, they tended to have a more frequent consumption of fruit, bean, dairy products and meat than those oflow SES. People who had low SES and lived in high SDI area, as we considered as the poorest people, were less likely to die withischemic heart disease.published_or_final_version
Public Health
Master
Master of Public Health
5
Rodger, Martin L. "Living beyond the unanticipated sudden death of a partner : A phenomenological study." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/647.
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This research project used a Husserlian phenomenologlcal approach to explore grief and Its Impact upon men and women who have experienced the sudden and unanticipated death of his or her partner. The use of Husserllan phenomenologlcal research Into thanatologlcal study Is a valuable method of exposing the experiences of bereaved people In a vibrant and deep manner. Husserlian phenomenology allowed the surviving partner to reveal every aspect of his or her everyday life and experlencas. It Included what grief meant to them, how It was manifested In their everyday lives and how their partner's death had Impacted upon his or her relationship with themselves, with others and the world. The stories told by the surviving partner were unique, however shared common themes.
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Andrews, Alfred 1955. "Football : the people's game." Monash University, Dept. of History, 2001. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9104.
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Jones, Paula Louise. "Moving heaven and earth : landscape, death and memory in the aceramic Neolithic of Cyprus." Thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.683220.
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Du, Hongfei, and 杜洪飞. "Cultural influences on terror management: theroles of self-esteem, norm, and control motivation." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2012. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B4832985X.
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Terror management theory (TMT) asserts that cultural worldviews and self-esteem help humans manage death-related concerns. To date, most of the evidence for TMT is from Western cultures which are characterized by individualism. However, cultural values and self-esteem among East Asian cultures characterized by collectivism are distinct from ones among Western cultures. It is unclear how individualist vs. collectivist cultures influence terror management mechanisms and whether TMT findings derived from Western cultures could be generalized to East Asians cultures.
This research aimed to explore cultural differences and similarities in three terror management mechanisms involving self-esteem, social norm and perception of control. 825 participants were recruited from two individualist cultures (i.e., Germany, Austria) and one collectivist culture (i.e., China) in four studies. The Pilot Study validated the mortality salience paradigm among Chinese participants. Study 1 examined whether individualists and collectivists utilize different types of self-esteem to manage existential terror. Study 1A tested the correlations between death anxiety and types of self-esteem and showed a negative correlation between death anxiety and self-liking among both Chinese and Austrian participants, but a negative correlation between death anxiety and self-competence only among Austrian participants. Studies 1B and 1C tested the correlations of personal vs. relational self-esteem with death anxiety and their moderating influence on mortality salience effects. Results revealed that for the Chinese, relational self-esteem showed a stronger negative correlation with death anxiety than did personal self-esteem. It also moderated the effects of mortality salience on worldview defense. In contrast, for German participants, personal rather than relational self-esteem moderated the effects of mortality salience on worldview defense. Taken together, these findings indicate that culture determines the type of self-esteem that serves as a buffer against death anxiety.
According to TMT, existential terror motivates individuals to follow social norms by which they maintain self-esteem and mitigate terror. Study 2 tested this by examining the changes in self-esteem when Chinese participants followed (or violated) the modesty norm. Results revealed that mortality salience led Chinese participants to follow the modesty norm by showing explicit self-effacement, but their implicit self-esteem also decreased. Moreover, when participants were reminded of their mortality, those who violated the norm by showing explicit self-enhancement reported higher implicit self-esteem than those who followed the norm. These findings indicate that when norm and self-esteem motives collide, following the norm engendered by mortality salience does not benefit self-esteem.published_or_final_version
Education
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
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Turner, Wendy G. "Euthanasia of the companion animal :|bunderstanding the pet owner's experience /." The Ohio State University, 1998. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487951214937499.
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Friedman, Mark David. "The holocaust survivor's experience of death and dying : a model for social work assessment and intervention." Thesis, McGill University, 2002. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=29554.
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This paper investigates whether or not the experience of survivors of the Holocaust through the dying process follow the stages and tasks of dying as defined in the theoretical literature and the ramifications this has for the social worker serving these individuals and their families. The methodology employed was a library search to overlay the literature on death and dying upon the literature concerning Holocaust survivors. The study concludes that, for the most part, there is little congruence between the theories of dying and the coping mechanisms of the Holocaust survivor and that a different model of death and dying is required for this population. In order to provide a preliminary model and guide workers who might encounter terminally ill survivors and their families as patients and clients, approaches for engagement, assessment, and intervention are proposed and analyzed.
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Andayani. "Spiritual sensitive social work : a descriptive analysis of working with the dying." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=99159.
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It is generally accepted that spirituality can play an important role in the end stage of the life of a person. Spirituality can provide a source of comfort and guidance and in so doing be a coping strategy. Social workers should take into account this spiritual component of their work particularly with clients who use spirituality as a form of social support. This thesis provides a theoretical understanding of spiritual based practice. It identifies the principles and competencies central to this practice, including the need for worker self awareness. It then illustrates how certain social work students have applied these principles in their practice with dying clients.The author's own identification as an individual from a religiously oriented Muslim country is used to illustrate the importance of understanding and working from the world view of clients. The author concludes that spirituality should not be ignored by social workers in their practice.
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Smith, Lauren Marie. "Lean on Me: Social Support Compensation and Risk of Death in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700048/.
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Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has an estimated incidence of nearly 11 million US adults aged 65 years and older. Evidence suggests that the quality of the marital relationship is an important factor for diabetes related health outcomes affecting self-management and adherence (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001). However, an individual in need may compensate for primary support that is unavailable or not optimal by looking for other sources of support, which may be important for health outcomes (Rini, et al., 2008). The present study examined compensation for poor spousal support through other social relationships. A total of 12,640 participants reported they had diabetes and were married (Male = 6,317 and Female = 6,323), and of this group 1,084 men and 583 women had died over the course of the study period. Women reported lower spousal support, but significantly more aggregated social support across relationships than men. Few persons reported low spousal support and low support compensation, rendering the cell sizes highly unequal and the associated data uninterpretable. Ancillary analyses were conducted with the idea that some variance in total compensation support may moderate mortality risk finding that higher aggregated social support across non-spousal relationships was associated with lower risk of death accounting for ~3% of the variance in the final model. The current findings demonstrate how an individual can compensate for a poor primary support relationship through a broader support network. These findings should guide future research to focus on how individuals build, maintain, and seek support from social relationships.
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Fitzpatrick, Andrea D. "Approaching the dying and the dead : an analysis of contemporary, lens-based artworks and the potential for ethical intersubjectivity." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=85906.
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Photographic, film and video representations of dying and dead subjects bring to light delicate balancing acts of agency involving representational perspective. In this thesis, I examine contemporary, lens-based artworks by Sarah Charlesworth, Eric Fischl (whose sculptural medium is an exception), Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Gillian Wearing, Andres Serrano, Nan Goldin, AA Bronson and Jorge Zontal, as well as works by photojournalists Richard Drew and Theresa Frare, to show how they effectively convey facets of identity to dying and dead subjects. The voice, visuality, touch and embodiment (in particular, the body's weight and its materiality) are considered dimensions of intersubjectivity in order to explore how they foster access to the dying or the dead. My hypothesis is that, despite the avenues of intersubjective agency that appear to be foreclosed to the dying and the dead, the artists negotiate the following, significant challenges: how to bear witness to suffering without enacting visual mastery; how to grant a voice to or engage in dialogue with a silenced subject; how to touch the other without inflicting injury. Through the artists' divergent representational paradigms, the terms of intersubjectivity will be shown to equally involve the potential for reverence as well as for representational violence and it is upon this duality that the ethical concern hinges. The degrees of photographic transparency invoked by the artists alter the emergence of identity and the extent to which it reflects the perspective of the dying and the dead or, alternatively, becomes a framework of distortion. In terms of subject matter, the causes of death to the subjects represented, all of which are non-fictional, are AIDS-related illness, falling from buildings and violence (sometimes self-inflicted). Conceptually, I will be relying upon the phenomenological models of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the photographic theories of Roland Barthes, the feminist met
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Shahbaz, Amy Renee. "Spiritual experience: The relationship with the grief process." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2002. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2118.
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There were four major purposes of this study: (1) to evaluate the level of grief experience by bereaved individuals who attend either a grief support group or grief psycho-educational group in the Inland Empire, (2) to evaluate the level of spirtuality experienced by bereaved individuals who attend either a grief support or grief psycho-educational group in the Inland Empire, (3) to correlate the level of grief reactions with the level of spiritual experience within bereaved individuals, and (4) to describe demongraphic and grief/spiritual-related factors that may influence a bereaved individual's spiritual experience and grief process.
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Ewens, Beverley Anne. "Living after confronting death; story telling during the recovery trajectory of intensive care unit survivors: An interpretive biographical approach." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1734.
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Aim: To create new meaning of the experiences of intensive care survivors during early recovery and the meaning of “self” during this time. To add to the understanding of how support should be focussed for survivors during recovery.
Background: Survival from a critical event/illness and intensive care unit experience is increasing, as is associated physical and psychological complications. Complications are due to the severity of illness, the intensive care experience itself and the nature of the treatments which promote survival. If complications remain untreated increased health care service uptake and reduced quality of life can ensue. Despite the potential impact upon individuals and beleaguered health care systems, inadequate support service provision in Australia and across the world persists.
Design and participants: An interpretive biographical exploration of intensive care survivors experiences of recovery following hospital discharge. Nine participants were recruited from a single centre in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. All participants had been ventilated for a minimum period of twenty four hours following a critical event/illness.
Methods: Data were collected from diaries, face to face interviews, memos and field notes. Participants diarised for three months commencing two months after hospital discharge. At five months following discharge participants were interviewed about the content of their diaries and the symbols and signifiers within them to create a shared meaning of their experiences. Analysis of diaries and interviews were undertaken using two frameworks. This process enabled the identification of themes throughout participants’ stories and offers a unique portrait of recovery through their individual lens.
Findings: All of the participants considered their lives had irreparably changed as a result of their experience. The biographical methods provided a safe and creative way to reveal inner thoughts and feelings which may not have been revealed using other methods. This unique view through the lens of the survivor identified how unsupported by health care professionals they felt following discharge. Turmoil existed between survivors’ surface and inner worlds as they struggled to conform to the constraints of what recovery should be; imposed by the biomedical model. The process of constructing their stories enabled participants to reflect upon their experiences of recovery and bring a sense of coherence to their experiences.
Conclusion: The use of the biographical method gave the participants a voice through which they could be heard and a way to bring clarity to their experiences. The process of constructing their stories was considered important to their recovery process, and in particular in enabling reflection on how far they had traversed. Often survivors are unable to articulate their inner most thoughts and experiences for fear of being misinterpreted. The methods reported here gave them an opportunity to do so through non-verbal techniques. Analysis of diary entries may also identify maladaptation in survivors and enable interventions to be individually targeted before chronicity is established. The findings from this study may lead to a greater awareness among health care providers of the problems survivors face, and improved support services more broadly, based on frameworks more appropriate for this population.
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Exley, Catherine Elizabeth. "Living with cancer : living with dying : the individual's experience." Thesis, Coventry University, 1998. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/94145345-36cc-92ad-7d6f-f8aae99dc41d/1.
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This thesis explores the experience of living with cancer and a terminal prognosis from the dying individual's perspective. It is based on qualitative sociological research. My study group comprised nineteen hospice patients, eighteen women and one man, aged 27 to 67, all of whom had been diagnosed with cancer. Thirty focused interviews were conducted; each respondent was interviewed at least once with a sub-group being interviewed a second or third time dependent upon symptoms, willingness to participate again and the need to explore issues further. My thesis is a sociological account of respndents' views and experiences. Its focus is the management and negotiation of dying and death at an individual level. A central tenet of my thesis is how self-identity is constructed and negotiated in different social encounters, in both the public and the private sphere. With reference to the public sphere I consider respondents' experiences of communicating with health professionals, and the difficulties they encountered. Within this discussion I look at how respondents constructed understandings of their illness within the context of their own biographies. I also discuss individuals' experiences of treatment, and the choices they made about this. In addition, I examine respondents' hopes and fears for their own deaths, and I suggest the notion of a 'good enough' death may be useful in interpreting their views. Repsondents perceived they had a spoiled identity as a result of their cancer and dying status. As a result, they spent a great deal of time and effort engaging in emotional work, in order to reassert their more valued roles. Much has been written about the emotional work of paid and unpaid carers. Here I suggest attention must also be given to the work of dying individuals themselves. However, I do not conceive of this emotional work as selfless, rather I suggest such work has benefits for individuals themselves. Emotional work enabled them to reaffirm or renegotiate more valued self-identities while alive, but in addition, I suggest that it also meant that respondents were able to contribute towards their own 'disembodied' after-death identities.
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Burdsall, Tina Dawn Lillian. "The Effects of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Religion on Formal End-of-Life Planning." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/976.
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Individuals who are facing death today are doing so in an environment that is significantly different than it was in the past. Medical technology is increasingly able to keep people alive even with multiple complex chronic conditions. While these advances in medicine are beneficial to many, it can also unnecessarily prolong inevitable deaths. Concerns over the ability to have a death that is in alignment with personal values has increased the interest in the use of formal end-of-life planning including writing an advance instructional directive and assigning a durable power of attorney for health care. Although research has indicated that the use of these formal planning strategies is beneficial, not everyone completes them. Using a current nationally representative sample, the three specific aims of this study were to examine whether there are racial and ethnic differences in formal end-of-life planning done by older African American, Hispanic, and White adults; to examine socioeconomic factors including education and income in formal end-of-life planning as well as assess the contribution of these factors in explaining racial and ethnic differences in formal end-of-life planning; and to examine the role of religiosity in formal end-of-life planning and to assess its influence on racial and ethnic differences in explaining formal end-of-life planning.
Logistic regression was run on data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) in order to analyze the completion of formal end-of-life plans by African American, Hispanic, and White decedents. Exit interviews conducted with knowledgeable proxies in 2008 or 2010 were combined with data from earlier waves of the HRS survey in order to analyze the completion of formal end-of-life plans, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religion.
Both Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to complete a written advance directive, assign a proxy, or complete both forms of formal planning than were Whites. Group differences remained after controlling for region of death and cause of death. Both Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to complete any form of formal planning than Whites. Group differences remained after additionally controlling for gender, age, marital status, whether the decedent had children, income, education, religious preference, importance of religion, and frequency of attending religious services. Higher levels of income and education both increased the odds that formal advance planning would take place. Religious preference was not significant, but decedents who had stated that religion was very important were less likely to plan while those that attended services frequently were more likely to plan.
I speculate that the role of cultural capital may partially explain the persistent racial and ethnic disparities and the importance of income and education. Additionally the dominant religious doctrines of Christianity may have a greater influence than the different religious teachings of Protestant and Catholics around end-of-life medical care. Contrary to expected findings, reference groups of those who attend religious services frequently may assist in formal planning. These finding may help guide interventions that can diminish disparities in the end-of-life experience. Understanding who are completing formal plans can help ensure end-of-life care that is in alignment with personal beliefs and values.
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Kellas, Marlen Joyce, and Lynette Christine Wheeler. "Bereavement support groups for elementary school-aged children: The impact on grief related problematic behaviors." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1997. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1538.
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Westover, Frances Marie. "Group intervention to modify undesirable behavior in children who have experienced parental loss." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1996. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1172.
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This study uses a cognitive group intervention approach in an attempt to alter anti-social behavior in elementary school children who experienced parental loss. The findings demonstrate improvement in some behaviors and worsening in others.
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Thompson, Susannah Ruth. "Birth pains : changing understandings of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death in Australia in the Twentieth Century." University of Western Australia. School of Humanities, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0150.
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Feminist and social historians have long been interested in that particularly female ability to become pregnant and bear children. A significant body of historiography has challenged the notion that pregnancy and childbirth considered to be the acceptable and 'appropriate' roles for women for most of the twentieth century in Australia - have always been welcomed, rewarding and always fulfilling events in women's lives. Several historians have also begun the process of enlarging our knowledge of the changing cultural attitudes towards bereavement in Australia and the eschewing of the public expression of sorrow following the two World Wars; a significant contribution to scholarship which underscores the changing attitudes towards perinatal loss. It is estimated that one in four women lose a pregnancy to miscarriage, and two in one hundred late pregnancies result in stillbirth in contemporary Australia. Miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death are today considered by psychologists and social workers, amongst others, as potentially significant events in many women's lives, yet have received little or passing attention in historical scholarship concerned with pregnancy and motherhood. As such, this study focuses on pregnancy loss: the meaning it has been given by various groups at different times in Australia's past, and how some Australian women have made sense of their own experience of miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death within particular social and historical contexts. Pregnancy loss has been understood in a range of ways by different groups over the past 100 years. At the beginning of the twentieth century, when alarm was mounting over the declining birth rate, pregnancy loss was termed 'foetal wastage' by eugenicists and medical practitioners, and was seen in abstract terms as the loss of necessary future Australian citizens. By the 1970s, however, with the advent of support groups such as SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support) miscarriage and stillbirth were increasingly seen as the devastating loss of an individual baby, while the mother was seen as someone in need of emotional and other support. With the advent of new prenatal screening technologies in the late twentieth century, there has been a return of the idea of maternal responsibility for producing a 'successful' outcome. This project seeks to critically examines the wide range of socially constructed meanings of pregnancy loss and interrogate the arguments of those groups, such as the medical profession, religious and support groups, participating in these constructions. It will build on existing histories of motherhood, childbirth and pregnancy in Australia and, therefore, also the history of Australian women.
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Malenkovich, Ilona Yurivna. "Grief Lives Online: An Empirical Study of Kübler-Ross' Categories of Bereavement on MySpace Profiles." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1441.
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With the widespread use of the Internet, grief has been extended in its representation. Specifically, social networking sites, like MySpace, have turned grief presentation from private expressions into public displays of mourning. This study utilizes the theoretical foundations of the grief presentation process of Kübler-Ross' (1969) five categories of bereavement (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) to determine whether the grief presentation process is present in an online setting. In this study, the researcher conducted an empirical investigation of 4,931 comments, resulting in 22,263 bereavement themes outlined by Kübler-Ross, which were condensed into 2,288 time-point comparisons posted to 140 MySpace profiles of users who have passed-on. Results revealed noteworthy practices surrounding grief presentation on the MySpace profiles of the deceased. Specifically, bereaved commenters post a significantly greater number of bereavement narratives in the first three months post-mortem as opposed to months four through six. Additionally, race and sex of the deceased, as well as sex of the bereaved, did not prove to be mitigating factors in online grief presentation. Moreover, across observed races and sexes, the bereavement category of acceptance was found most often, followed by depression, denial, anger, and bargaining. Findings suggest that post-mortem commenting behavior blends current memorializing practices while also extending the space for communication and grief presentation. Additional implications for understanding grief communication on MySpace and future directions for research conclude this study.
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Van, Heerden Gary Paul. "Holding on or letting go?: the resolution of grief in relation to two Xhosa rituals in South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016055.
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The dominant emphasis in Western models of bereavement is on the breaking of bonds with the deceased in order for healing to occur. Failure to let go often leads to a diagnosis of 'pathological grief'. This paper challenges the assumption that death invariably means that the bonds with the deceased have to be severed. Situating Western models of bereavement in a modernist context not only challenges the 'truth' claims of these models, but also facilitates a deconstruction of the elements that contribute to the emphasis on letting go. In contrast to these theories, two Xhosa rituals (umkhapho and umbuyiso) that seek to sustain the bond with the deceased person will be examined. Such rituals demonstrate that it is possible to both maintain the bond and for the bereaved person to move on with their lives. Despite different contexts, it will be argued that these Xhosa bereavement rituals have a contribution to make to Western models of bereavement and some implications for therapy will be explored.
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Răzman, Diana Cristina. "Press ‘F’ to pay respects : Grief and memorialization in video games." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för informationsteknologi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-20098.
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This paper aims to present, discuss, and analyze the potential role of digital games within practices of memory, bereavement, and inheritance. The paper examines how users inhabit game environments, how their in-game memories and identities extend into the real world, and what kind of digital legacy players may be leaving behind. A study based on theoretical frameworks relating to memorialization and grief processing is conducted to look at how games can become part of mourning and memorialization practices.
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Fan, HaiYan (LingLing), and University of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts and Science. "Medical encounters in "closed religious communities" : palliative care for Low German-Speaking Mennonite people." Thesis, Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Anthropology and Health Sciences, 2011, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3079.
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This multi-sited ethnography focuses on beliefs and practices associated with death,
dying, and palliative care among the Low German-Speaking (LGS) Mennonites. The
qualitative data, collected through participant-observation fieldwork and interviews
conducted in three LGS Mennonite communities in Mexico and Canada, show a gap
between official definitions of palliative care and its practice in real life. The LGS
Mennonites’ care for their dying members, in reality, is integrated into their community
lives that emphasize or reinforce discipleship by promoting the practices of mutual aid,
social networks, and brotherhood/sisterhood among community members. This study
also offers ethnographic insights into some difficulties that healthcare providers face
while delivering the “holistic” palliative care services to their patients in general, and to
the LGS Mennonites in particular. Finally, it provides some suggestions that may aid
healthcare providers in developing culturally safe and competent health care services
for the LGS Mennonite people living in Canada.xi, 231 leaves ; 29 cm
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Raftery, David Jonathon. "Competition, conflict and cooperation : an ethnographic analysis of an Australian forest industry dispute." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ARM/09armr139.pdf.
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Bibliography: leaves 135-143. An anthropological analysis of an industrial dispute that occurred within the East Gippsland forest industry, 1997-1998 and how the workers strove to acheive better working conditions for themselves, and to share in the wealth they had created.
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Dedeic, Emina, and Angelina Sten. "Could IT be a matter of life or death? : - En studie om hur det digitala vårdmötet påverkar patienten och organisationen." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informatik och media, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-414727.
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Studies show that individuals over 65 years are underrepresented by those who utilizes digital health meetings. Since this is a relatively new research area there is not much previous research on how individuals’ attitudes towards digital health meetings in Sweden differ depending on age, and why. By conducting one study group with six respondents aged between 25-30, semi structured interviews with five older respondents aged between 63-75, and one semi structured interview with a Usability Specialist at Kry, this study aims to investigate how the attitudes differs between younger and older individuals, and how these attitudes are managed by digital healthcare actors. The results show that the younger respondents had a more positive attitude towards digital health meetings, mostly because of previous experience of the service. The physical contact proved to be more important to the older respondents in relation to trust. The younger respondents also experienced a normalized view of digital health meetings. To make older individuals experience a more normalized view of digital health meetings, they need more knowledge about the service. As the study was done during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, the virus is assumed to affect this, and hurry the normalization process of these services.
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Oosthuizen, Rudolph De W. "Genesis 12-25 in die lig van grafgebruike en grafvertellinge gedurende die Ystertydperk in Palestina." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51773.
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Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2000ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apart from the literature of Ancient Israel itself, and contemporary literature from the ancient Near East, archaeological data continue to be an important source for the historian seeking to elucidate a history of ancient Israel or certain aspects of that history. Notwithstanding certain developments in the field of Biblical scholarship as well as archaeology, the discipline of Biblical archaeology continues to survive as the framework in which these two disciplines join forces, and, quite possibly, may enter into the historical discourse in meaningful dialogue with each other. The historical discourse of course, is multidimensional, that is to say, the insights deriving from a diversity of methodological approaches are being integrated and related to each other in order to gain an improved understanding of the Old Testament (or certain aspects thereof), and the cultural-historical context from which the Old Testament came to be. Of decisive importance for Biblical archaeology is the foundation on which this dialogue takes place, after all, the basis on which the dialogue takes place has a determining influence on the collection and interpretation of archaeological data; and the use of them, similarly, on the understanding and interpretation of the Bible. The title of this dissertation suffices to indicate that the focus is on burial stories and burial customs in Palestine during the Iron Age. The dissertation then proceeds to show how a certain aspect of Old Testament views of death and dying, that is the coherence between posterity (the living) and the ancestors (those who have died) - which, among other things surface in the genealogical presentation of burial stories - can be understood from the burial customs in Syro-Palestine. In that respect the archaeological data contributes to an understanding of the death notices (presenting themselves as genealogical material in family burial stories) within the culturalhistorical milieu in which they appear. The coherence between religious documents and their cultural embeddedness contributes to a bettter understanding of the theological significance of the relevant texts. In addition to the fact that archaeology expands the database of historical discourse, important aspects of the Old Testament world of experience and historical context come to the fore that have so far been ignored in this discipline. An important aspect of burial customs, in terms of both the archaeological record (family graves) and the literary legacy of Ancient Israel (death notices and genealogies in the Old Testament) is the continuing relationship between the preceeding generations (the ancestors that have passed on) and the posterity (the community of those still living). The connection established in family burial stories between genealogical material (death notices) and the family burial customs highlights an important perspective, that is, the relation between the preceeding generations and the community still living as an element of the expectation of the future, or the future-directedness of Ancient Israel. The expectation of the future, with specific reference to the grave, is defined in terms of continuity in the generational community of familial relations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Naas die literatuur van Ou Israel self, sowel as kontemporere literatuur uit die ou Nabye Ooste, bly argeologiese data In belangrike bron tot beskikking van die historikus wat In geskiedenis van Ou Israel of sekere aspekte daarvan wil verduidelik. Nieteenstaande sekere verwikkelinge op die gebied van die Bybelwetenskap aan die een kant, en van die Argeologie aan die ander kant, bly die dissipline Bybelse argeologie voortleef as die kader waar die twee dissiplines by mekaar aansluit, en bes moontlik tot In sinvolle dialoog met mekaar kan toetree in In historiese diskoers. Die historiese diskoers is uit die aard van die saak multidimensioneel van aard, dit wil se die insigte vanuit In verskeidenheid metodologiese benaderings word geintegreer en in verband tot mekaar gestel ten einde In beter begrip van die Ou Testament (of sekere aspekte daarvan) en die kultuur-historiese milieu - van waaruit die Ou Testament ontstaan het - te verkry. Van deurslaggewende belang vir die Bybelse argeologie is die basis waarop hierdie dialoog plaasvind. Die basis waarop die dialoog plaasvind, het immers In bepalende invloed op die versameling en interpretasie van argeologiese data; en die gebruik daarvan vir die verstaan en interpretasie van die Bybel. Die titel van die proefskrif dui reeds aan dat daar gefokus word op grafvertellinge en grafgebruike gedurende die Ystertyd in Palestina. Vervolgens word aangedui hoe In bepaalde aspek van die Ou-Testamentiese sieninge oor die dood, naamlik die samehang tussen die nageslag (lewendes) en die voorgeslag (ontslapenes) - wat onder meer ter sprake kom in die genealogiese aanbieding van die grafvertellinge - vanuit grafgebruike in Siro-Palestina verstaan kan word. In die opsig dra argeologiese gegewens daartoe by om die doodsberigte (wat by wyse van genealogiese materiaal in die familiegrafvertellinge na vore tree) te verstaan binne die kultuurhistoriese milieu waarin dit voorkom. Die samehang tussen religieuse dokumente en die kulturele bedding daarvan dra daartoe by dat ons die teologiese betekenis van die tekste wat ter sprake kom, beter kan verstaan. Afgesien van die feit dat die argeologie die databasis van die historiese diskoers verbreed, tree belangrike aspekte van die Ou-Testamentiese leefwereld of historiese milieu na vore wat grootliks geignoreer is in die vakgebied. 'n Belangrike aspek in doodsgebruike, beide wat betref die argeologiese rekord (familiegrafte) sowel as die literere nalatenskap van Ou Israel (doodsberigte en geslagsregisters in die Ou Testament), is die verbondenheid wat bly voortbestaan het tussen die voorgeslagte (ontslape voorvaders) en die nageslagte (nog lewende gemeenskap). Die verband wat gele word in die familiegrafvertellinge tussen genealogiese materiaal (doodsberigte) en die familiegraf bring 'n belangrike perspektief na vore, naamlik die verbondenheid tussen die voorgeslagte en die nog lewende gemeenskap as 'n element van die toekomsverwagting of toekomsgerigtheid van Ou Israel. Die toekomsverwagting word, met spesifieke verwysing na die graf, gedefinieer in terme van kontinurteit in familiale verband.
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Akol, Grace. "Widows' experiences of spousal mourning among AmaXhosa: an interpretative phenomenological study." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/523.
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This study was conducted on the mourning rituals of the AmaXhosa widows of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study focused on the descriptive presentation of the experiences of the AmaXhosa widows in the Buffalo City municipality of the Province. The study sought to establish the widows’ perceptions regarding the mourning rituals and to interpret their experiences within the context of contemporary cultural, religious, gender and socio-political influences. The experiences among the widows interviewed were found to have a similar context but their perceptions about the mourning rituals were different between the widows younger than 40 years and those older than 50 years. Widows from urban and rural areas of East London, Mdantsane Township and from within a 60 kilometre radius of East London were interviewed. Purposive random sampling was used to identify an equal number of either urban or rural voluntary participants for the study. Structured interviews were held with widows ranging in age from 29 to 91 years. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the recorded discussions was conducted. The experiences of the AmaXhosa widows during the conduct of the mourning rituals are described. The key findings of the study indicated that most of the widows felt they had to go through the mourning rituals mainly to show respect for their departed husbands and so that the dignity of the family and clan was maintained. The mourning rituals seemed mostly to have negative implications for the widows such as a lack of family and financial support and being treated as social outcasts; however the rituals also seemed to help the women adjust to their new status as widows. Although the mourning rituals were embedded in the socio-cultural tradition generally followed by the AmaXhosa, religious beliefs also influenced some of the traditions by introducing changes in the way some widows conducted the mourning rituals. For example, some religions advocated for shorter periods of mourning than usual as well as wearing different types of mourning clothes from the usual black or purple dress. Overall the perceptions of the older widows aged above 50 years revealed that they had no reservations about performing the mourning rituals and quite readily and unquestioningly accepted the customs. The younger widows aged below 40 years on the other hand felt that the mourning rituals were biased against women and did not serve a useful purpose and even proposed changes to the manner in which the mourning rituals are conducted particularly the shortening of the mourning period from 12 to 6 months or less. However, they seemed to recognize the role played by the mourning ritual in lessening and possibly healing the pain and sorrow caused by their bereavement.
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Ngqangweni, Hlonelwa. "‘Gender’ and constructions of spousal mourning among the AmaXhosa in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015647.
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Among the AmaXhosa the death of a person is marked by a tradition called ukuzila - the equivalent of the mourning process. As a sign of spousal mourning, and to show respect, the remaining spouse has to put on a marker (be visible). However, it is mostly the woman who is under obligation to show her mourner status by wearing ‘clothes of mourning’. The discriminatory nature of the practice, especially pertaining to visibility and some of the detrimental effects on the widows’ health and safety have been documented by some researchers, but the reasons for the continuity of visibility remain largely unexplored. Taking into account the dynamic nature of ‘culture’, this research explored the discourses deployed in men and women’s constructions of ukuzila specifically focusing on spousal mourning and the continuity of widows’ visibility in spite of their resistance to it. The research used postcolonial feminism drawing on postructuralism as its theoretical lens. This theoretical lens provided useful concepts such as hybridity, visibility, surveillance and power with which to examine spousal mourning and conceptualised people’s subject positions as multiple, fluid and contingent. Furthermore, the research employed thematic and discourse analysis at its methodology. Discourse analysis was employed to identify and analyse the discourses utilised in the constructions of spousal mourning. The research was conducted through focus group discussions held with younger and older urban and rural men and women, as well as interviews held with widows and widowers and key cultural informants. Concerning the question of constructions of spousal mourning for men and women, visibility of the mourner emerged as a central and contentious issue. Some participants were of the view that one could show mourning by engaging in culturally appropriate mourning behaviour, whilst others were of the view that showing one’s mourning had to be visible by publicly displaying mourning through a marker. Another group proposed mourning “by heart”, whereby the mourners’ status could either be inferred from their behaviour, whereas others maintained that behaviour was not mandatory. Various justifications for the continued visibility of widows were advanced. These justifications included showing love and respect to the deceased husband; showing respect to the ancestors; and helping to monitor their own behaviour in order to ensure that it is in line with appropriate mourning behaviour. The continued visibility of widows was also used to regulate the widows’ sexuality. Widows were coerced to put on ‘clothes of mourning’ in order to ‘protect’ them from being approached by men for a relationship during the mourning period. The regulation of the movement of widows was also managed through visibility. Widows’ movements were restricted in order to protect the community from pollution or bad luck. For example, they were not allowed to visit places of entertainment or visit other households. Key discourses identified were the familial-‘ukwenda’, respect-‘hlonipha’, and male sexual drive (MSD) discourse. The familial - ‘ukwenda’ discourse is centred on the idea that one is ‘married to the household’, which includes the nuclear family and wider extended family including ancestors. According to the respect-‘hlonipha’ discourse, respect is due to others on the basis of their age, status, and more especially their gender. Showing respect (hlonipha) necessitates the avoidance of all forms of behaviour and utterances that could be deemed disrespectful. The MSD holds a widespread view of sexuality as a biological drive that resides within each male and it was drawn on to make sense of discontinued visibility among widowers, whilst visibility of widows continued. It is argued that it is these discourses, embedded in the ‘culture’ of the AmaXhosa and upheld by the family that sustain the discriminatory nature of the practice, especially concerning the continued visibility of widows in spite of the resistance that has been voiced.
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Bergmann, Frank Carr. "Exploring death and loss : a social constructionist perspective." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6107.
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M.A.Death and loss accompany us throughout our lives and are experienced in a variety of forms and situations. Numerous researches have been undertaken to gain some perspective on death. and loss, however these attempts have proven to be impersonal, incomplete and of limited use, as death tends to evade direct scrutiny. An attempt is made here to observe death and loss from a stance that respects the human element. The personal experiences of adults who have lost parent/s at a young age are examined. This paper explores the constructions of death and loss, as well as the meanings that are attributed to these experiences. A social constructionist approach is used to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the participants' relationships with death and loss. One of the primary aims of this paper is to investigate the implications that these constructions of death and loss have for the way people live and make sense of their lives. This study focusses on how death requires the individual to reconstruct a sense of identity and relationship with the world. Some of the major conceptualisations of death, loss and mourning are reviewed in conjunction with the input of philosophers, poets and creative writers allowing for a richer, fuller perception of these events. The aim of this paper is not to develop a comprehensive understanding of death and loss, but rather to approach these constructs from a more personal perspective. This paper moves away from modernist thinking and includes the researcher as a participant where personal biases, experiences and understandings are included.
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"Social goals in grandparenthood: a function of death anxiety and time perspective." 2003. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5891702.
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Siu Man Yee.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-48).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Abstract (English) --- p.ii
Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iii
List of Tables --- p.vi
Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1
Terror management theory --- p.2
Socioemotional selectivity theory --- p.6
"TMT, SST & Grandparenthood" --- p.9
Chapter Chapter 2: --- Method --- p.15
Participants --- p.15
Measures --- p.16
Chinese versions of scales --- p.19
Procedure --- p.19
Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.21
Results: test the hypothesis with whole scale --- p.21
Results: with FTPS subscales --- p.27
Chapter Chapter 4: --- DISCUSSION --- p.35
Death anxiety as a motivating force --- p.35
Time perspective for the elderly --- p.39
References --- p.43
32
McGlotten, Shaka Paul. "Queerspaces and sexpublics: desire, death, and transfiguration." Thesis, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/2057.
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33
Small, Neil A. "Mourning." 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/7103.
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34
Small, Neil A. "Sigmund Freud." 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/7104.
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35
Kataoka, Serena. "Re-acting aesthetic politics : from city to red zone to scenes of downtown Victoria." 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1828/789.
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36
Tamis, Anastasios. "The state of modern Greek language as spoken in Victoria." 1986. http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/1223.
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This thesis reports a sociolinguistic study, carried out between 1981 and 1984, of the state of the Modern Greek (MG) language in Australia, as spoken by native-speaking first-generation Greek immigrants in Victoria. Particular emphasis is given to the analysis of those characteristics of the linguistic behaviour of these Greek Australians which can be attributed to the contact with English and to other environmental, social and linguistic influence. (For complete abstract open document)
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Macgregor, Isabelle. "Death ex machina? : the use of technology and its impact on genocide and prevention." Master's thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/156173.
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The rapid pace of technology's evolution and uptake since the end of the Cold War, coupled with its role as a driver of many recent political changes, suggests that some uses of technology might contribute to genocide. Technological change and new developments in its use can redistribute power and impact the global environment, as well as reshaping the dynamics of local natural, political and social environments. Use of new media, including the internet, social media and mobile phones, promotes "citizen journalism", in which news and video footage is gathered and disseminated by amateurs. Citizen journalism is increasing during times of conflict and there exists a hotly contested "arms race" for control of these fora between genocidal governments, resistance groups and foreign governments and their citizens. By democratising control of communication, use of new media might shift the balance of power toward those who would resist, or prevent, genocide. An increasing and unsustainable use of technology has contributed to climate change. Climate change will likely enhance genocide risk through a number of causal pathways including resource scarcity, inequality and reduced economic growth. Implications for prevention are assessed with a focus on the doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). This thesis works toward filling a major policy gap in R2P, in which international responsibility to prevent and intervene in genocide remains diffuse, allowing for inaction. Rather than weakening the doctrine, linking genocide prevention with action to mitigate climate change would strengthen its standing as an international norm. The insight that technology use can influence genocide is applied to genocide prevention. Evidence suggests that aspects of technology use can be harnessed for prevention, and these are often most effectively used "upstream", well before genocide is imminent.
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Brysiewicz, Petra. "The development of an intervention model for managing abrupt death trajectories in KwaZulu-Natal level 1 emergency departments." Thesis, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4225.
Full textAbstract:
AIM: The aim of this research was to describe how the health professionals manage sudden/abrupt deaths in the ED and to foster change in current practice by involving the clients (dead or dying clients and their families) and the health professionals. METHOD: Action research was the approach used in this four year research project, and co-researchers (nurses) from three Level I ED's in KwaZulu-Natal were actively involved in shaping and guiding the project. The participants involved in the research were health professionals, bereaved families and mortuary staff members. FINDINGS: An intervention model, the Dealing with Sudden Death Model, was developed in order to guide the therapeutic management of sudden/abrupt deaths in ED's. Along with this was the development of the family pamphlet, the Preparation Checklist and the Incident Evaluation Checklist. Following the implementation of this model the health professionals emphasized the fact that this model provided guidance and meaning to the care rendered to the dead or dying client, the bereaved families and fellow colleagues. The Dealing with Sudden Death Model had resulted in a production of knowledge and planned changes in the management of sudden/abrupt deaths in the ED's.Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.
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Murray, Kerin Clare, University of Western Sydney, and School of Contemporary Arts. "Sexuality and death : a relationship." 1998. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/28421.
Full textAbstract:
Firstly, sexuality and death are discussed as instinctual drives, specifically through Freud's essay, Beyond The Pleasure Principle. Sexuality and death are then related through pleasurable attachment and painful severance. Next they are discussed in terms of Georges Bataille's notions of continuity and discontinuity. Secondly, The Garden of Eden is looked at as a mythological indicator of the psychological links between sexuality and death. Sexual differentiation has a role to play as woman is seen to be a signifier of death through the writings of Julia Kristeva and Victor Burgin. Thirdly, Plato's argument for immortality is discussed, specifically through The Phaedo. The argument centres on the separation of self from sexual pleasure in order to defeat death. Fourthly, the chastity of Mary and Christ is dealt with. It can be seen to be resultant of the tight connection between sexuality and death and relevant to a hope for immortality. For Christian theology there exists a necessary division for those who are immortal from their own earthly carnality. Fifthly, Julia Kristeva's notion of Abjection is looked at through her essay, Powers of Horror. Abjection plays a significant role in the attempt at repression of the sexual drive and the death drive. Lastly, the reflection of Narcissus is observed. There seems a human need for a reflection self that goes beyond notions of delusionistic beauty or reviling horror. Sexuality and death are accepted as most essential aspects of our being. Abjection leads to a rejection then an acceptance of our own perishing carnality.Master of Arts (Hons)
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Rippon, Peter. "Death as subject matter in the work (post-1985) of selected European, American, and South African artists in relation to attitudes towards death in those societies." Thesis, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/2132.
Full textAbstract:
Partial dissertation in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Fine Art, Durban University of Technology, 2004.This dissertation investigates how death as a subject matter in the work of contemporary artists living in European, American, and South African societies, relates to attitudes towards death in those societies. It examines how attitudes towards death have changed over the centuries, and how death is perceived in these societies today. It examines how the treatment of death in art today. differs from other periods because of these attitudes. Chapter One, Section One examines three major shifts in attitudes towards death In Western history, as outlined by Philippe Aries, a leading writer in the field. Chapter One, Section Two looks at death as a subject matter in Western art history, from ancient Greece to the mid-twentieth century. Categories discussed include funerary art, religious art, art and medicine, death personified, historical and analytical, personal, political art, and death and consumerism. Chapter Two, Section One examines attitudes towards death in contemporary Westernized societies, focusing on the medicalization of death, funeral rituals and disposal practices, and attitudes towards death in South Africa, specifically within the cultural framework of white, English-speaking South Africans. Chapter Two, Section Two examines death as a subject matter in the work of selected contemporary artists in America, Europe, and South Africa, and how it relates to attitudes towards death in those societies. Artists examined are Damien Hirst, Christian Boltanski, Joel-Peter Witkin, Andres Serrano, Donna Sharrett, Gerhard Richter, and Jo Ractliffe. The paper concludes by outlining the main arguments of the research and conclusions reached.
M
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McChesney, Sarah Jane. "Coming home : death and identity in contemporary Australian society." Thesis, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/147276.
Full text
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Jonathan, Chantelle Unice. "Affected by the loss of a classmate." Thesis, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/1364.
Full textAbstract:
The HIV and AIDS pandemic that has struck worldwide has impacted not only on those whose lives it has taken but on the loved ones left behind to cope with the trauma, stigma and discrimination of the disease. HIV and AIDS presents a challenge to all, especially early adolescents whose lives, already complicated with their negotiation to adulthood, are also affected and infected by HIV and AIDS. How early adolescents cope with death is influenced by their developmental level as well as by their relationships to the deceased. Schools as secondary institutions of socialisation are charged with not only the academic development of their learners but also their physical, moral and social development as well. Schools are responsible for educating the learner in a caring school environment and educators are tasked with the added responsibility of providing pastoral care for their learners in times of distress. The inclusion of death education and policies to support learners following death becomes a necessity as the incidence of death increases. Research with regard to this study was conducted as follows:- • A literature study of available literature was done. • Qualitative research comprising the use of unstructured interviews was used to obtain data. Six participants from the class of a primary school who experienced the loss of a classmate participated in the research. Data was obtained during audio-taped interviews which were then transcribed and coded by the researcher to establish themes and categories. Conclusions were drawn from the data yielded in the research and the literature study and recommendations were made. The aim of these recommendations is to facilitate helping the Department of Education and Culture to empower educators in pastoral care and counseling who in turn will be able to assist learners in need of care.Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.
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Nkosi, Ntombikayise Lucy. "The management of death benefits by widows." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7365.
Full textAbstract:
M.A.Widowhood is a condition of an incomplete family structure resulting from death. Its consequences such as the absence of the father and husband can be aggravated, decreased or neutralised due to the effects of other conditions, relating to the availability of funds, relatives and community services. Widowhood presents problems and difficulties that most widowed people have to face. The elderly widows are faced with learning to live alone; leaving their own homes and adjusting to life with relatives; financial problems; and immediate care and support. The young widows, in addition, are faced with problems relating to decision-making; managing large sums of money; child upbringing; dispute with in-laws, relatives and older children over the death benefits and estate; lack of support and development programmes for young widows. Widows experience multiple problems that are more common in nature and necessitate a more preventative and developmental approach. Widows' problems are often ignored as, in most instances, they are classified as single mothers, like divorced or unmarried mothers, without paying special attention to the specific condition of widows in particular. Special community and organisational programmes to support and empower widows to cope with social, emotional and economic situations are lacking. Delamont (1980:221) argue that, yet not only is the evidence that being widowed catches most women unprepared financially, socially and emotionally, the study of women in this predicament has been neglected. The problems and factors associated with the management of death benefits by widows have also been neglected.
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Appel, Denise Lillian. "Narratives on death and bereavement from three South African cultures." Diss., 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/5688.
Full textAbstract:
This Social Constructionist study originated from the researcher’s exposure to a significant loss and her unanswered questions about other cultures’ experience of grief. Literature is scarce from a social constructionist framework that focuses on the cultural experiences on death and bereavement from a South African perspective.
The researcher’s aim was to provide three culturally diverse South African women constructed as ‘bereaved’ the opportunity to tell their stories of the death of a loved one and their bereavement thereof. The three diverse cultures were Tswana, Islamic Muslim and Afrikaans. A qualitative research method was employed. Unstructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with each of the three participants and the method used to analyze the collected data was thematic content analysis.
The study allowed rich and valuable information about death and bereavement from three culturally diverse women to emerge. The themes of ‘mourning procedures and practices’, ‘bereavement behaviour’ ‘socio-political context’ and ‘private and public display of grief’ were identified as valuable areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people, schools and the work environment too, will gain a better understanding of cultural differences on death and bereavement.Psychology
M.A. (Psychology)
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Katis, Jenny. "The Dynamics of Ethnic Entrepreneurship: Vietnamese Small Business in Victoria." Thesis, 2017. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/32618/.
Full textAbstract:
Small businesses represent by far the largest proportion of business entities within Australian business, and as such represent a vital component of the country’s economic structure (ABS, 2016). There has been a significant increase in the Australian population due to immigration from a range of countries. In fact, Australia is now very diverse, with migrants arriving from more than 200 countries across the world. There are approximately 5.3% of all small businesses that are run by Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Australia (ABS, 2016). It is clear from this figure that Vietnamese small businesses make up a significant proportion of this sector in Australia. This thesis examines the dynamics of Vietnamese migrants in small business in Victoria. The consideration of environmental and personal factors in understanding Vietnamese migrant business start-ups, survival and Ethnic Entrepreneurship theories has been the focus of discussion for this study. Firstly, there is a general consensus of what contributing environmental and personal factors influence the Vietnamese migrant in business start-up. Secondly, the thesis looks at how these factors are associated with the Ethnic Entrepreneurship theories identified in the literature. Lastly, the work identifies what factors have contributed to the Vietnamese migrant in sustaining their small business.
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Mtalane, Lissah Joyce Themba. "The experiences of death and dying of Zulu patients, their families and caregivers." Thesis, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/7097.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis studies the impact of the terminal illness and
awareness of undergoing the dying process and inevitable death, at
the KwaZulu Government hospital Ngwelezana, at Empangeni in the
Lower Umfolozi District. A case study, drawing both upon nursing
and social anthropology, was conducted to establish the
experiences of death and dying of Zulu patients, their families
and caregivers. The basic trend reflected in the findings is the
need to discuss dying with patients, the lack of skills and
knowledge on the part of caregivers, lack of recognition of
patients' cultural beliefs. The study does not claim to deal with
a complete spectrum of the experiences of death and dying of all
Zulus but is a meaningful and significant innovation into an
unresearched area of patient care.Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1989.
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Riaño, Alcalá Pilar. "Dwellers of memory : an ethnography of place, memory and violence in Medellín, Colombia." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11157.
Full textAbstract:
This dissertation documents the memories of Medellin's city dwellers and
explores how people in violent urban contexts make sense of violence and deal with its
presence in their lives. This study is defined as an anthropology of remembering; it is an
ethnographic observation of the practices of remembering and forgetting and how these
practices shape and are shaped by the lived experience of violence. The dissertation is
built on extensive fieldwork in the Colombian city of Medellin with a cross section of
women, youth and community leaders.
The thesis argues that when the uncertainty and paradox created by widespread
forms of violence threaten to destroy the social and material worlds of Colombian city
dwellers, memory becomes a strategic tool for human and cultural survival. The creation
of an oral history of death and the dead, the presence of a local social knowledge that
assists city dwellers in their safe circulation in and through the city, and the maintenance
of practices of place making are examples of how city dwellers deal with the devastating
effects of violence in their lives. The thesis develops a place-based exploration of
memory and violence and approaches place as a physical, sensory, social and imaginative
experience that maintains a sense of continuity between the past and the every day life of
Medellin's city dwellers. The two connecting concepts that ground the analysis of the
relationship between people, memory and violence are those of "sense of place" and
"communities of memory."
The dimensions of human agency, cultural survival and human suffering are
central to the exploration of memory, place and violence developed in this thesis. From
this perspective, the thesis takes to task anthropological works on violence that
emphasize the routinization of terror and fear for those who live amidst widespread
violence. The thesis discusses the multiple ways in which memory is disputed in
Colombia and the risks posed by a local reading of violence as intrinsic to the history of
the country. It concludes that when individuals are faced with realities such as life and
death, the familiar faces of the actors of violence and the weakening of the social and
ethical fabric of their communities, they do not stand in definite positions and cannot be
defined in simple terms such as victims and perpetrators. Thus, it can be recognized that
although violence plays a central role in the Medellin city dwellers processes of identity
formation, it does not exhaust these possibilities.
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Jiang, Benran. "A profile of young adults aged 20-30 years with cerebral palsy in Victoria: health, function, pain, quality of life, social participation, and service utilisation." 2009. http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/7129.
Full textAbstract:
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood with a prevalence of approximately 2-2.5 per 100 live births. Improvements in paediatric care have increased the survival of individuals with CP. Overall 90% are expected to grow into adulthood yet little is known about the outcomes of young adults with this condition. In order to provide holistic services for this population, an understanding of various aspects of their lives is required.AIMS: To examine the outcome of young adults with CP from the perspective of perceived health status, functional ability, pain, quality of life (QOL), social participation, and healthcare service utilizations, compared with their able-bodied peers. To explore the determinants that contribute to the variation of these outcomes in the context of impairments, activity, participation, and personal and environmental factors.
METHODS: This is a population based cross sectional study of young adults with CP based on the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. A cohort of 335 young adults with cerebral palsy born in Victoria, aged 20 to 30 years, was recruited from the Victorian Cerebral Palsy Register. Data of typically developed peers selected from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey 2004 were used for comparison for the outcomes of perceived health, pain, and social participation. Data from a population-based sample of 751 young adults in U.S. were used for comparative analyses of QOL. Participants were asked to complete a multidimensional questionnaire by self report, or proxy report by parents or carers for those with intellectual or severe physical impairments. The questionnaire was comprised of the Quality of Life Instrument for Young Adults, the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire version 2, the Gross Motor Function Classification System, the Barthel Index, and a demographic section.
RESULTS: A total of 335 young adults with CP participated; 207 (62%) were able to self report and 128 (38%) were proxy reported. Compared with their able-bodied peers, self reported physical health in this population was lower but mental health was similar. Gross motor function, independence in self care, and limb distribution together explained 60% of the variance in the physical health data. They experienced more pain, impaired function, and reduced social participation, but despite this, their contact with medical and allied health professionals was low. Pain was linked with limb distribution and had a negative impact on functional ability, employment participation and QOL. Impaired functional ability, intellectual disability, and communication impairments had major effects in reducing social participation. Self reported QOL was similar to their peers in social relationship and environmental context domains, but was lower in the domains of physical health, psychological well-being, and role function. The impact of CP on the individuals’ QOL was on physical and functional aspects, and sometimes on social relationships, but not on psychological well-being.
CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that greater efforts are needed to improve the health, function, QOL, and social participation in individuals with CP, accompanied by more research to monitor the effectiveness of interventions for them.
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Doggett, Anne University of Ballarat. "'And for harmony most ardently we long' : musical life in Ballarat, 1851-1871." 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/12761.
Full textAbstract:
"The study examines two decades in the musical life of Ballarat, a regional city in south-eastern Australia. Beginning at the time of the 1851 gold rush, it covers the period in which Ballarat grew from a rough mining camp to an established city with a socially and ethnically diverse population of over 40,000 people. The thesis pursues the aim of looking at the music practices of the community in ways that will further our understanding of the significance of music in the lives of the people."--Abstract.Doctor of Philosphy
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Doggett, Anne. "'And for harmony most ardently we long' : musical life in Ballarat, 1851-1871." 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/14596.
Full textAbstract:
"The study examines two decades in the musical life of Ballarat, a regional city in south-eastern Australia. Beginning at the time of the 1851 gold rush, it covers the period in which Ballarat grew from a rough mining camp to an established city with a socially and ethnically diverse population of over 40,000 people. The thesis pursues the aim of looking at the music practices of the community in ways that will further our understanding of the significance of music in the lives of the people."--Abstract.Doctor of Philosphy