Bereavement among faculty members in a university setting

This study examined bereavement among a group of faculty following their return to work at the university. A phenomenological approach was undertaken in an attempt to understand the faculty's experience of bereavement after returning to work following the death of a significant family member. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with seven individuals who had experienced the death of a husband, a parent, a sibling, or grandparent. The findings support two main positions: (1) the grieving process may go unrecognized due to the demands and challenges inherent in the university setting, and (2) the university setting may also play a supportive role for returning faculty. Although physical and emotional responses are normal reactions to grief and loss, the faculty's perception of their experience suggests that their role and work responsibilities complicate the bereavement process. Two faculty respondents also found the university environment helpful and supportive despite occasional disregard from some coworkers. Implications for social policy, future research, university administrators, and faculty are discussed.