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Title The lived experience of losing a sibling through murder in South Africa
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3494
Date 2009
Author(s) Halstead-Cleak, Julia
Contributor(s) Prof. H.G. Pretorius
Abstract M.A. - This study explores the grief experiences of young adult siblings in the aftermath of murder. This research was motivated, firstly, by the perceived lack of focus on siblings, often referred to as the 'disenfranchised grievers' and, secondly, by the vulnerability of the young adult population who bear the scars of South Africa's high levels of crime and violence. Three young adults were recruited to participate in interviews, in which they described their lived experience of loss. Data collection and the analysis were guided by a phenomenological research design resulting in the identification of five major themes: 1) Shock, disbelief and horror, 2) Intent and rage, 3) Recollecting and withdrawal, 4) Rupture and fragmentation, and 5) Resilience, healing and growth. These themes are discussed in relation to the research literature on sibling grief and homicide bereavement. In the concluding chapter, the key strengths and limitations of this study are reviewed and the implications of the findings of this research for further investigations are discussed
Subject(s) Murder victims' families; Brothers and sisters; Death; Bereavement
Language en
Type of publication Thesis
Repository Johannesburg - University of Johannesburg
Added to C-A: 2014-05-20;10:27:35