Özet:

This research aimed to examine the experience of grief caused by parental loss by death and explored different factors which reflect the adaptive and maladaptive coping of individuals who experience grief. The purpose of the study was to understand the nature of the grief experience, to help promote healthy grieving and to inform counseling and therapy. Sample of the study comprised of five females, who had lost at least one parent by death. Semi structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted as the method of analysis and themes were extracted from transcripts of interviews. IPA provides comprehensive insight into participants‟ lived experiences. Findings of the study revealed that experience of grief affects every individual and coping with their grief and loss of parents changed them and their lives in myriad ways. Major themes included psychological consequences of grief: medley of feelings, coping strategies: coming to terms, change in self: post loss self, questioning about future: what next? continuing bonds with deceased, familial factors: changing bonds with family, emotional consequences: emotional downfall. It is important to understand the nature of the grief experience, to help promote healthy grieving and to inform counseling and therapy.

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