Thematic Analysis (Research Methodology)

Tematoloxía e crítica literaria

by Cesar Dominguez

In Elementos de crítica literaria. Ed. Arturo Casas. Vigo: Xerais. 2004. pp. 129-160.

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.