Understanding the influence of bereaved family caregivers’ perception of a good death on their caregiving experiences: A meaning making perspective

Abstract

This retrospective qualitative study aimed to examine the influences of bereaved family caregivers’ perception of good death for their dying spouse or parent on their caregiving experiences. A purposive sample of 15 participants were recruited from a hospice and their narratives were analyzed. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, five key components of a perceived good death that intermixed well-established Western attributes with deeply rooted Asian values were identified and meanings ascribed to their caregiving experiences were based on that. These findings suggested implications for practice on the entire service continuum from palliative and end-of-life care to bereavement services.

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the immeasurable support received from the colleagues at Assisi Hospice in the recruitment of study participants and the bereaved family caregivers who shared their life experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Lien Centre for Palliative Care (LCPC-EX19-0003).