Date

5-2-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

COVID-19 has impacted the lives of countless people and has resulted in the death of millions. Due to this, there is a need to understand how individuals coped with the losses that came with this uniquely difficult circumstance. With this in mind, my project investigates how the COVID-related death of a loved one influences the continuing bonds relationship of bereaved adults within the context of the pandemic. Ten participants who lost a loved one to a COVID-related death during the pandemic were interviewed about their grief experiences and audio recorded. Using qualitative thematic analysis, themes in the data were constructed based on the responses. Continuing Bonds Expressions was one of the themes found. The two subthemes within this theme were (a) Holding On vs. Letting Go and (b) Positive Bond vs. Negative Bond. Another theme found throughout was Continuing Bonds Development. The two subthemes within this theme were (a) Guilt, Anger, and Grief and (b) Acceptance and Hope. These findings add to the literature finding continuing bonds to be beneficial to bereavement adjustment in most individuals, but harmful to a small few. Factors that need to continue to be researched regarding continuing bonds include the context surrounding the loss and the role of religious beliefs. Clinical and cultural implications are also considered.

Department

Psychology

Thesis Comittee

Dr. Joseph Schwab, Thesis Advisor
Dr. Melissa Brandon, Committee Member
Dr. Waleed Jami, Committee Member

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