Response

Response #

Person who died

Husband

Category

Current experience of grief

Respondent details

25-34 | Female | Ghanaian

Q1: What was the nature of your relationship with the person who died?

My husband

Q2: How has the person’s death affected you during the hours, days, and weeks that followed?

I am still in shock and cannot believe that my husband is gone. I am still crying myself to sleep. Alone and in a foreign country without any family support

Q3: How, if at all, have your relationships with other people (particular individuals and other people in general) been affected by the bereavement?

There have been people who have shown great love and support and helping me through this difficult time.

Q4: Does the surrounding world seem any different to you while grieving? If so, how?

Yes, everyone seems to be moving on with their lives and going about their daily activities. I still feel stuck and unable to pick things up. I feel it is unfair that my life has been so disrupted.

Q5: Has your experience of time changed in any way?

Q6: Has your body felt any different during grief?

I feel very exhausted most times, lack of sleep and sometimes physically incapable.

Q7: Has grief interfered in any way with your ability and motivation to perform various tasks, including paid work?

Yes but I try my best to do my job because that is my livelihood now. My husband used to be my financial support but I have to support myself now.

Q8: Is your experience of grief changing over time? If so, how?

Q9: Have you ever found yourself looking for the person who died or expecting that person to appear?

Yes everyday. Sometimes I dream that I am talking to him only to wake up and realise he is not there.

Q10: Are there times, places, and occasions that have made you especially aware of the person’s absence?

Yes, different things

Q11: People who are grieving often report experiencing the presence of the person who died. Have you had any experiences that you would describe in those terms?

yes

Q12: Do you still feel a sense of connection with the person? If so, could you say something about when you feel this and what the experience is like?

Sometimes

Q13: Since the person died, is there anything that you have been doing in order to feel close to them?

I have been writing a journal

Q14: Is there anything that you do in order to avoid being reminded of the person or of their death?

I try to push it out of my mind

Q15: Has anything in particular helped you to cope with grief? Has anything made you feel better or worse?

Talking to friends has helped

Q16: How understanding have other people been? Have others said or done anything that you've found especially helpful or unhelpful?

Some friends have been helpful. My former boss didn't show a lot of sympathy

Q17: How, if at all, has your experience of bereavement changed you as a person?

I have become kinder and more considerate of other people. I think I have also lost my drive and find it very hard to motivate myself

Q18: How, if at all, does grief over the death of a person differ from other forms of loss that you have experienced?

Yes, this is the most painful thing physically and emotionally

Q19: Are there any aspects of grief that you find particularly puzzling or difficult to put into words?

Sometimes I feel like I am going crazy.

Q20: Are there any important aspects of your experience that we have not addressed?