TY - JOUR
T1 - Deathbed visions from the Republic of Moldova
T2 - A content analysis of family observations.
AU - Kellehear, Allan
AU - Pogonet, Vadim
AU - Mindruta-Stratan , Rodica
AU - Gorelco, Victor
N1 - Funding information: The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the funding support for this project given by The Leverhulme Trust, UK (Grant F/00351/Y).
PY - 2012/6/1
Y1 - 2012/6/1
N2 - This is an interview-based study of 102 families and their observations of the last weeks and days of a dying family member. Forty-one families reported hearing about “visions,” “hallucinations,” or “dreams” from their dying loved one before their death. Of these 41 mixed cases, 37 cases demonstrated classic features of deathbed visions—reports of seeing dead relatives or friends communicating to the dying person. This article reports a content analysis of these 37 cases in order to identify the major psychosocial themes that seem to be conveyed by these kinds of experiences. Six major themes are identified. These themes are: support, comfort, companionship, reunion, prognosis, and choice and control. Implications of these themes are discussed in relation to their role in providing significant support for the psychological morale and social well being of dying people.
AB - This is an interview-based study of 102 families and their observations of the last weeks and days of a dying family member. Forty-one families reported hearing about “visions,” “hallucinations,” or “dreams” from their dying loved one before their death. Of these 41 mixed cases, 37 cases demonstrated classic features of deathbed visions—reports of seeing dead relatives or friends communicating to the dying person. This article reports a content analysis of these 37 cases in order to identify the major psychosocial themes that seem to be conveyed by these kinds of experiences. Six major themes are identified. These themes are: support, comfort, companionship, reunion, prognosis, and choice and control. Implications of these themes are discussed in relation to their role in providing significant support for the psychological morale and social well being of dying people.
U2 - 10.2190/OM.64.4.b
DO - 10.2190/OM.64.4.b
M3 - Article
SN - 0030-2228
VL - 64
SP - 303
EP - 317
JO - Omega: Journal of Death and Dying
JF - Omega: Journal of Death and Dying
IS - 4
ER -