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The Lived Experience of Grief After the Death of a Long-Term

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The Lived Experience of Grief After the Death of a Long-Term i THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF GRIEF AFTER THE DEATH OF A LONG-TERM COMPANION ANIMAL A dissertation presented to the faculty of ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY SANTA BARBARA in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY By MELISSA REILLY MAY 2018 ii THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF GRIEF AFTER THE DEATH OF A LONG-TERM COMPANION ANIMAL This dissertation, by Melissa Reilly, has been approved by the committee members signed below who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of Antioch University Santa Barbara in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Dissertation Committee: ______________________________________________________________________ Elizabeth Bates Freed, Psy.D Chairperson ______________________________________________________________________ Chris Howard, Psy.D Second Faculty ______________________________________________________________________ Brenda Murrow Ph.D External Expert iii © Melissa Reilly, 2018 iv Abstract This study of the lived experience of grief aims at a deep understanding of the experience of loss through an analysis of the themes that emerge across personal interviews. This researcher used this study of loss to look more closely at the relationship between humans and animals. By expanding on current literature this study offers a comprehensive qualitative analysis of this grief experience following the death of a beloved animal companion. This study has three goals: (1) highlight the universal aspects of this phenomenon, (2) expand upon the literature examining this powerful cross-species relationship and gain a deeper understanding of the bereavement process, and (3) offer clinicians and veterinarians the opportunity to better understand the grief experienced by pet owners and how to better help the pet owners prepare and cope with their loss. Previous research indicates the grief process following the loss of a companion animal is both complex and delicate. There is no one size fits all approach to grief. Understanding the variety of ways in which individuals grieve is the first step in aiding individuals to move forward into acceptance. This dissertation advances the understanding of this multifaceted bereavement process. This researcher conducted six in-depth interviews designed to draw upon the grief experience after the loss of a long- term companion animal. The findings from the interviews show the impact of grief can be complicated for some depending upon additional life stressors and previous experience with pets and grief. Additionally, each individual has a distinct and unique experience with grief. This Dissertation is available in Open Access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu and OhioLink ETD Center, http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd v Dedication There have been many people who have walked beside me during the last several years of my education. They have guided me, placed opportunities in front of me, and helped me open doors to my future. I would like to thank each and every one of them. I would especially like to thank Dr. Bates-Freed, Dr. Howard, and Dr. Murrow. Without your guidance, I would have been walking this road blindly for a long time. I would also like to thank my parents, Nick, Jacob, Noah, and Dr. Bishop without your encouragement this road would have seemed a lonely and impossible place. Additionally, I would like to thank my participants, without whom this dissertation would not have been possible. Thank you for your courage and your vulnerability. Lastly, thank you to Miss Prissy, the inspiration for this dissertation. Your years of companionship and love will forever be unparalleled. vi Table of Contents Abstract ...........................................................................................................................iv Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 Purpose Statement................................................................................................... 1 Brief Overview of the Human-Animal Bond .............................................................. 1 Review of the Problem ............................................................................................. 4 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 2: Literature Review .......................................................................................... 9 The Grief Reaction ................................................................................................... 9 Children .................................................................................................................. 21 Later-Life Individuals .............................................................................................. 24 Euthanasia ............................................................................................................. 27 Factors for More Intense Grief ............................................................................... 31 Coping With the Loss ............................................................................................. 35 Summary ................................................................................................................ 43 Chapter 3: Methodology ................................................................................................ 45 Method ................................................................................................................... 45 Research Design .................................................................................................... 47 Ethical Issues ......................................................................................................... 50 Chapter 4: Results ........................................................................................................ 51 Participants ............................................................................................................ 51 The Participants ..................................................................................................... 56 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 57 The Grief Reaction ................................................................................................. 57 Euthanasia ............................................................................................................. 64 Natural Death ......................................................................................................... 69 vii Factors for More Intense Grief ............................................................................... 70 Coping With the Loss ............................................................................................. 72 Chapter 5: Discussion ................................................................................................... 80 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 80 Overview of Findings .............................................................................................. 80 Practice .................................................................................................................. 85 Research ................................................................................................................ 87 Experience of the Researcher ................................................................................ 88 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................... 89 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 90 References: ................................................................................................................... 91 Appendix A Prescreening tool .................................................................................... 100 Appendix B Flyer ........................................................................................................ 101 Appendix C Paragraph for Veterinarian ..................................................................... 102 Appendix D Informed Consent ................................................................................... 103 Appendix E Demographic Information ....................................................................... 106 Appendix F Interview Questionnaire .......................................................................... 107 viii List of Tables Table 1 .......................................................................................................................... 53 1 Chapter 1: Introduction Purpose Statement The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experience of the grieving process after the death of a beloved companion animal. Open-ended interviews were
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