Older adults’ response to the loss of a spouse: The function of spirituality in understanding the grieving process

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the role of spirituality in helping older adults grieve the loss of a spouse in the context of a model of group psychotherapy.

Methods: Twenty-four older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 82, whose spouses had died in the previous year, were assigned, in groups of six, to a 14-week group therapy intervention facilitated by trained, experienced co-therapist social workers. All sessions were audio recorded.

Results: Qualitative analysis of the four therapy groups at beginning, middle and ending sessions yielded salient themes that illustrate associations between spirituality and shifts in self-identity, mourning the loss and social re-engagement.

Discussion: Observed were within process acknowledgement of the role played by spiritual beliefs in mourning the loss of a spouse. Implications for group intervention for older adults grieving the loss of a spouse are discussed.

Keywords:

• older adults
• bereavement
• spirituality
• social engagement
• group psychotherapy

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for being part of this study and sharing their experiences; and the Social Work Therapists: Shawn Fremeth, Renee Climans, Christina Black, Beverly Adler, and Ruth Goodman. The authors acknowledge and thank the Katz Centre for Gerontological Social Work Research, Baycrest, for their financial support.