Bereavement in political conflict: Ideological meaning-making and dialogue

Abstract

In this research article we explored the dialogical mechanisms of ideological meaning making in the aftermath of traumatic loss, via descriptive phenomenological qualitative research. Thirty-three individuals who lost a close family member in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were interviewed regarding the dialogues they had about their ideology in the aftermath of their loss. Analysis identified four types of dialogues that assisted in ideological meaning making: dialogue with political figures, dialogue with and through the media, dialogue with the deceased, and dialogue with radicalized bereaved individuals. Applications of our findings to the constructivist theory of bereavement are discussed.

Additional information

Funding

This research (grant number I-1002-119.9-2016) was supported, at least in part, by a grant from the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF).