THE GRIEVING EXPERIENCES OF BEREAVED CHINESE WHO HAVE LOST A PARENT: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FREEFORM JOURNALS

Abstract

Background and Objectives This study seeks to investigate the content of freeform journals written by bereaved Chinese adults who have lost a parent, to inform practitioners on the usefulness of freeform journaling in grief work. The benefits of journaling as an intervention tool are mostly associated with directed journaling, while less emphasis is placed on the benefits of freeform journaling and what the bereaved would write about without the use of focused writing prompts. This study asks what bereaved Chinese adult children write in freeform journals; specifically, what experiences they undergo in response to loss, and how they make meaning of the loss.

Methods This descriptive study undertakes a qualitative content analysis of secondary data. Provided by Grief Matters, the data comprises 42 letters written by members of the public, addressed to their deceased parents.

Results The study reveals several main intentions behind writing the letters, namely, to express longing, how they coped with the loss, to express gratitude, to find closure to specific incidents, and to release and seek forgiveness. An in-depth look into the letter contents also reveals varying physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual responses the bereaved have towards the loss of their parents. Further, these experiences embody well-known themes in the grief and bereavement field, including, but not limited to meaning reconstruction, guilt, and continuing bonds.

Conclusion This study expands our knowledge on freeform journaling as an intervention and highlights its usefulness as a means of reconnecting with parents. Without focused writing prompts, writers demonstrated an inclination to discuss themes that are typically encouraged in directed journaling. When writers do not touch on these topics, they raise matters surrounding their relationship with their parents that hold personal significance, bringing about some form of emotional release.