Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study is an autoethnograhic, Arts Based exploration of the grief of illness. Making \nuse of 'I' perspective, subjective methodologies, I have explored my experiences of End Stage \nRenal Disease (ESRD), kidney transplant loss and the self-administering of my hemodialysis \ntreatments in my home. I present the psychological ESRD-dialysis experience as akin one of \ngrief. I have made use of Neimeyer's Meaning Reconstruction Model, a narrative meaning- \ncentered model typically used in bereavement circles. At the heart of this model is the concept \nthat it is necessary to apply a coherent perceived meaning to loss experience in order to process \ngrief well. This study applies the MRM to the psychology of transplant loss and dialysis, stating \nthat the psychology of transplant loss and dialysis is, for me, akin to complex grief. Therefore, it \nwill not likely be fully assimilated as is the case with anticipated loss. Rather, illness like ESRD, \nfor me, is likelier to be accommodated, where complex loss requires locating coherence, points \nof change and new plots within lived experience in order to provide new and helpful perceptions \nof meaning. I have disseminated outcomes from my own narratives, interviews with family, \nfriends and other patients who’ve experienced this illness, into two forms; the first, a written \ndissertation that presents theory and arts based narratives commenting on that theory. The \nsecond, Arts Based outcome, is in the form of a short film, entitled Good Grief.
Author: Leah Lewis
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2130952535