Bodies as means for continuing post-death relationships

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Thanatology

Background:

• The continuing bond perspective posits that maintaining connections with deceased loved ones is a healthy aspect of bereavement.
• Understanding how individuals maintain these bonds is crucial for mental health support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how bereaved individuals utilize their own and the deceased's bodies to maintain post-death relationships.
• To identify specific body-associated strategies employed in continuing bonds.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of qualitative data from three interview studies.
• Involved 30 participants experiencing bereavement.

Main Results:

• Three body-associated strategies were identified: "presence of the deceased in the bereaved's body," "body-associated actions and activities," and "sensing and caring for the deceased's body."
• The concept of embodiment helps interpret these strategies.
• Bereaved individuals may experience disembodiment due to social rejection of these practices.

Conclusions:

• Embodiment plays a significant role in maintaining continuing bonds with the deceased.
• Health psychologists should be aware of these body-associated strategies and potential social challenges faced by the bereaved.