Corporeality Affected by the Loss of a Loved One – Manifestations of the Body in the Experiences of Former Wards of Social Rehabilitation Centers

Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the bodily dimension of the loss of a loved one and ways of dealing with such an experience manifested in action. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The main research problem was formulated as a question: How do former wards of social rehabilitation centers experience and what meaning do they assign to the death of a loved one? The study used the biographical method, while the autobiographical narrative interview was used for data acquisition. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The theoretical framework of this study on the boundary situation of the death of a loved one is Karl Jasper’s approach as well as Edith Stein’s theory of empathy, from which analytical codes were derived was discussed. RESEARCH RESULTS: The death of a loved one experienced as a loss generates feelings that manifest in bodily forms of expression. The suffering resulting from the loss led to the development of new patterns of action: escapist and developmental-escapist. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The basic conclusion is that the loss of a love one as a boundary situation, when one is not looked after and lives alone leads to abnormal social functioning. Thus, such experiences should arouse a great deal of attention from people caring for children and youth.

Keywords

• death of a loved one
• biographical research
• moral degeneration
• corporality
• boundary situations