Bereavement and Personal Growth

This study attempts to widen our knowledge of the subjective meaning of bereavement. Depth interviews were used to address the question: "What themes are disclosed in subjective accounts of personal bereavement?" The investigator set aside psychiatric assumptions about pathological reactions to loss and used a phenomenological approach. Twelve themes were identified that indicate that bereavement can contribute to personal growth. These themes are described and examined from the growth perspective of existential psychology. The findings lend support to the existential view that crisis situations can stimulate positive shifts in life-perspective and heighten awareness of the human condition. Suggestions are made regarding clinical practice.