Implicational meaning (re)creation in bereavement as a lifeworld dialogue: An existential-constructivist perspective

Edith Steffen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper draws on Robert A. Neimeyer’s work on meaning reconstruction in bereavement, focusing on an aspect of meaning that has been termed implicational meaning and developing an account of relevant meaning-making processes against the background of existential understandings of the 4-dimensional ‘lifeworld’ structure. The paper emphasizes that meaning reconstruction in bereavement can be seen as a deeply emotional, transactional and creative process which implies verbal and non-verbal dialogue and transformation across multiple layers and dimensions that can be seen to constitute the person and their lifeworld. It tries to show that applying an existential framework to this process can enhance our understanding of the deeper challenges as well as the potentialities that this process presents, to those living through it and those supporting them with it. © 2018, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. The attached document (embargoed until 22/05/2019) is an author produced version of a paper published in JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVE PSYCHOLOGY uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-137
Journal Journal of Constructivist Psychology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 May 2018

Keywords

  • bereavement
  • meaning reconstruction
  • implicit meaning

Cite this