A Qualitative Study of Iranian Youth’s Experience of Grieving and Coping With the Loss of a Companion Animal

Dados Bibliográficos

ID13630347
AutoresShakila Moradi (Yazd University), Maryam Baharluoei (0000-0003-4557-5636, Yazd University, autor correspondente), Ali Ruhani (0000-0001-9146-6436, Yazd University), Bahar Amini Lari (0009-0003-0487-5031, Yazd University), Saba Samadian Sarbisheh (University of Mazandaran), Maedeh Karami (Yazd University)
Ano2025
Páginas302228251410306-302228251410306
Data de publicação2025-12-29
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00302228251410306
PMID41466417
OpenAlexW7117603248
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas39

In Iran, Islamic jurisprudence, cultural norms, and legal restrictions have traditionally discouraged the ownership of companion animals, particularly in public spaces. Despite this, the prevalence of companion animal ownership, especially in urban centers such as Tehran, has significantly increased. This shift has introduced new emotional experiences, particularly among the younger population, who now confront profound grief following the death of these animals. In our study, we aim to underscore the significant role of companion animals in the lives of young adults in Iran and explore how participants cope with the deep sadness and grief of losing a companion animal. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. Participants were selected using theoretical sampling. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 participants who had experienced such a loss. After analyzing the data, seven main themes were explored: spectrum of care, presence of death, profound emotional trauma, longing for shared memories, social support, normalization, and symbolic replacement. These findings highlight how mourning the loss of a companion animal introduces young people to the concept of death, shaping their emotional landscape and posing complex challenges during the adaptation and recovery process

Companion animal · Coping (psychology · Focus group · Grief · Qualitative analysis · Qualitative research · Sadness · Thematic analysis · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Human-Animal Interaction Studies