Grief dynamics in widower

Abstract

The death of spouse is one of the most common tragedies that changes the status and role of the individual. Death can make an individual deeply experience grief. An individual experiencing grief can feel lonely and suffers from physical disorder. Grief is a psychological, social process and somatic reactions caused by individual’s perception on loss. This study aimed to determine how dynamics of grief in widowers. This study used a qualitative method with phenomenological approach. Sampling technique used is purposive sampling with two respondents. The data were collected through interview and observation. The results showed that respondent N experienced psychological reactions in avoidance phase, confrontation phase and reached reestablishment phase, but sometimes N underwent some reactions of avoidance and confrontation phase. Psychological reactions experienced by Z were entirely at reestablish-ment phase. The respondent was able to accept his wife’s death because of the support of his family, friends, moreover he wanted to establish a new relationship. The study also found that N used problem-focused coping to cope his grief, while Z used religious coping and seeking of instrumental social support. The study also found that the length of spouse’s death time did not influence to what extent grief experienced or felt by respondents.