Continuing bonds

‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy

by Adrian Coyle

Steffen, E., & Coyle, A. (2012). ‘Sense of presence’ experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy. In C. Murray (Ed.), Mental Health and Anomalous Experience (pp.33-56). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this... more The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this experience tends to be reported as positive and meaningful by perceivers, for most of the twentieth century it has been described in pathologising terms in the bereavement literature. Recent decades have seen the publication of numerous studies that point to normality of this experience and its potential benefits for the bereaved perceivers' wellbeing. However, there is an ongoing debate within bereavement scholarship regarding the nature and healthiness of this experience. This chapter critically examines the extant literature concerning 'sense of presence' experiences and draws attention to the diversity of definitions and conceptualisations within which this experience can be interpreted. Research from a variety of perspectives, including attachment theory and the continuing bonds perspective, is discussed and emerging evidence is reported which suggests that those who can make sense of their experience within culturally-sanctioned (spiritual) conceptual frameworks enjoy greater benefits as a result. The discussion then focuses on meaning-making concerns with regard to this phenomenon and concludes with relevant practice recommendations.

'Sense of presence' experiences in bereavement and their relationship to mental health: A critical examination of a continuing controversy

by Edith Steffen

A book chapter co-authored with Adrian Coyle. Published in 2012 in C. Murray (Ed.). Mental Health and Anomalous Experience. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, pp. 33-56.

ABSTRACT

The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following... more ABSTRACT

The experience of sensing the presence of the deceased is a common occurrence following bereavement. Although this experience tends to be reported as positive and meaningful by perceivers, for most of the twentieth century it has been described in pathologising terms in the bereavement literature. Recent decades have seen the publication of numerous studies that point to the normality of this experience and its potential benefits for the bereaved perceivers’ wellbeing. However, there is an ongoing debate within bereavement scholarship regarding the nature and healthiness of this experience. This chapter critically examines the extant literature concerning ‘sense of presence’ experiences and draws attention to the diversity of definitions and conceptualisations within which this experience can be interpreted. Research from a variety of perspectives, including attachment theory and the continuing bonds perspective, is discussed and emerging evidence is reported which suggests that those who can make sense of their experience within culturally-sanctioned (spiritual) conceptual frameworks enjoy greater benefits as a result. The discussion then focuses on meaning-making concerns with regard to this phenomenon and concludes with relevant practice recommendations.

Can “sense of presence” experiences in bereavement be conceptualised as spiritual phenomena?

by Edith Steffen

Co-authored with Adrian Coyle. Published in 2010 in Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 13(3), 273-291. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it.

This paper explores the possibility of conceptualising the frequently occurring experience of “sensing the presence of... more This paper explores the possibility of conceptualising the frequently occurring experience of “sensing the presence of the deceased” in bereavement as a spiritual phenomenon and examines how such a conceptualisation can be related to two recent perspectives in the field of bereavement research, “continuing bonds” and “meaning-making”. It is argued that “sense of presence” experiences are expressions of the continuing relationship with the deceased that can be spiritually understood but that pose various challenges for their meaningful integration into the bereaved person’s worldview or meaning structures – something that may need to be more explicitly incorporated into current theoretical frameworks. It is suggested that these experiences can be the catalyst for “post-traumatic growth” through a socially mediated and interactive narrative exploration and that this has important implications for bereavement counselling and therapy.

Sense of Presence Experiences and Meaning-Making in Bereavement: A Qualitative Analysis

by Edith Steffen

Co-authored with Adrian Coyle. Published in 2011 in Death Studies, 35, 579-609. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it. From June 27 2012, a manuscript version of this paper can be downloaded from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/25590/
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This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the... more This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the presence of the deceased’ in meaning-making processes in bereavement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants who reported having had such an experience and the transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Seven overarching themes were identified, three of which were considered central: ‘finding benefit in the continuation of the deceased’, ‘finding benefit in the continued relationship’, and ‘finding meaning through existential, spiritual, and religious sense-making’. While participants found many benefits in what they experienced, finding meaning beyond immediate coping seemed to require the availability of spiritual/religious frameworks which could be adopted or, if available but discrepant, could meaningfully accommodate the experience.

Sense of presence experiences and meaning-making in bereavement: A qualitative analysis

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Edith Steffen. Published in 2011 in Death Studies, 35, 579-609. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it. From June 27 2012, a manuscript version of this paper can be downloaded from http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/25590/

This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the... more This qualitative study aimed to explore the potential role that might be played by reported experience of ‘sensing the presence of the deceased’ in meaning-making processes in bereavement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants who reported having had such an experience and the transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Seven overarching themes were identified, three of which were considered central: ‘finding benefit in the continuation of the deceased’, ‘finding benefit in the continued relationship’, and ‘finding meaning through existential, spiritual, and religious sense-making’. While participants found many benefits in what they experienced, finding meaning beyond immediate coping seemed to require the availability of spiritual/religious frameworks which could be adopted or, if available but discrepant, could meaningfully accommodate the experience.

Can “sense of presence” experiences in bereavement be conceptualised as spiritual phenomena?

by Adrian Coyle

Co-authored with Edith Steffen. Published in 2010 in Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 13(3), 273-291. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this paper but experience difficulty in locating it.