The Inspiration of Hope in Bereavement Counseling

Abstract

While most healthcare workers would agree that hope is necessary for healthy living, the current understanding of hope and hoping is incomplete. This article reports on a study that attempted to answer the question: Do bereavement counselors inspire hope in their clients, and if so, how? The study used a modified grounded theory method and collected data, by means of interviews, from a total sample of 12 participants, comprising bereavement counselors and ex-clients who had received bereavement counseling. The data were coded and analysed using the constant comparative method, which produced an emerging, integrated, substantive grounded theory of hope inspiration for this client group. This theory includes a core variable: the implicit projection of hope and hopefulness; and three subcore variables: forging the connection and the relationship; facilitating a cathartic release; and experiencing a good (healthy) ending. The theory indicates that this hope inspiration appears to be a subtle, unobtrusive process that was bound up with the necessary and sufficient human qualities in the counselor and the projection of these into the environment (and client).

Om å leve med et barn som ikke lenger er i live. En fenomenologisk deskriptiv studie

“…Forskning bekrefter at dette er en generell opplevelse (Hynson 2006, Arnold et al 2005, Cutcliff 2004, Davies 2004, Boelen et al 2003. Mye tyder på at foreldres sorg over et barn er mer intens, komplisert og langvarig enn annen sorg (Holmberg 2007, Rubin 1993.…”

“…Det er likevel ikke slik at alle foreldre opplever skyld, og slik er det heller ikke denne studien. Dette viser samtidig noe av irrasjonaliteten i fenomenet; det finnes ingen rasjonell avvikling av sorg med bestemte faser eller reaksjoner som alle må gjennom (Holmberg 2007, Cutcliff 2004). …”

“…Det innebaerer at mange foreldre årlig konfronteres med det som ofte blir karakterisert som livets største tap (Hynson 2006, Cutcliff 2004. Det å miste et menneske man er glad i er alltid en smertefull opplevelse.…”

“…Det er ikke lenger noe mål for "vellykket sorgarbeid" at de følelsesmessige båndene til barnet skal brytes. Utfordringene blir heller å finne gode måter å leve på der sorg, savn og minner integreres i den sørgendes indre og ytre verden, og der barnet integreres i foreldrenes sosiale liv og nettverk på en annen måte enn da barnet levde (Arnold og Gemma 2008, Hynson 2006, Cutcliff 2004). …”

The relevance of professionals’ attachment style, expectations and job attitudes for therapeutic relationships with young people who experience psychosis

“…Professionals' implicit projection of hopefulness is thus considered part of forming a 132 positive therapeutic bond (27,30). Professional expectations can be operationalised as …”