Bereavement and sexual intimacy : exploring the interaction between sexual intimacy and the process of grieving in bereaved clients

Abstract

This study explored the interaction between sexual intimacy and grief in the lives of bereaved individuals by talking to ten clinical psychologists and psychotherapists about their work with bereaved clients. There is very little previous research in this area and the potential role of sexual intimacy in the lives of bereaved people remains relatively unexplored. For grieving people counselling or psychotherapy may be a valuable space where they can discuss their experience with a sense of safety, as it can be a difficult subject to broach elsewhere which may be considered socially and culturally unmentionable. Despite the prominent role intimate relationships play in day to day life, the subject of sexual intimacy is still often considered taboo and within the context of bereavement even more so. By interviewing mental health professionals this study was able to gain evidence from their years of clinical experience. This was a qualitative study analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory in order that the results should be drawn directly from the participants’ own words. The main results found that the topic of Sexual intimacy during grieving was often avoided even within the therapeutic relationship, and that there is a bi-directional effect between the two topics which can in some cases contribute to significant added suffering. The therapists interviewed also felt that there was a potentially helpful role for sexual intimacy within the healing process for some clients. The participants shared their insights and reflections on the need to explore the topic of sexual intimacy during grieving and the potential necessity for a more integrative approach, including greater awareness of the relevance of sexuality as well as a range of psychotherapeutic approaches such as incorporating the inclusion of more somatic awareness. Lack of training in the area of sexuality came up often and highlighted the need for broader therapist training.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English
Supervisor	Patrícia M. Pascoal (Supervisor)