Bearing my fruit into the grave”

Experiences of anticipatory grieving and bereavement among Zimbabwean HIV positive women with loss of their only child

Bibliographic Data

ID15345753
AuthorsJulia Mutambara (0000-0002-3556-7053, Midlands State University, corresponding author), Memory Chitambira (Midlands State University), James January (0000-0001-8074-9940, University of Zimbabwe), Mpikelelo Mpawusi Maseko (Midlands State University), Mpikelelo Maseko (Midlands State University)
Year2015
Volume25
Issue1
Pages20-24
Publication date2015-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Psychology in Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1433-0237 • E-ISSN: 1815-5626
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14330237.2015.1007592
OpenAlexW2207499184
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited15

This study aimed to explore the bereavement experiences of HIV positive women who had lost their only child. Participants were 10 women living with HIV (age range = 24–35 years) and with loss of their only child. Data on experiences of anticipatory grief and bereavement among HIV positive women were collected over a period of six months. The data were analysed thematically. Findings suggest the women to have traumatic memories of their deceased children and also from the marital disharmony which followed the loss. The participants reported to have questioned their womanhood since they did not have any surviving child and dreaded the fact that they would die childless. Women also reported a sense of persona worthlessness following the death of the child and lived in fear and uncertainty of the future concerning their own mortality

Developmental psychology · Disenfranchised grief · Family medicine · Grief · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Psychiatry · Traumatic grief · Family Support in Illness · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology

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