Doživljanje izgube bližnje osebe in posttravmatska rast : magistrsko delo

Horvat, Anamarija (author), Repič Slavič, Tanja (mentor)

Magistrska naloga se osredotoča na doživljanje izgube pomembne bližnje osebe ter na procese žalovanja in posttravmatske rasti. V teoretičnem delu je obravnavan pojem izgube in njen pomen v življenju posameznika, posebej izguba bližnjega, njegova nenadomestljivost ter čustveni in psihološki odzivi, ki jih sproži. Osvetljen je proces žalovanja kot kompleksen in nikoli povsem zaključen proces ter pomen ritualov, duhovnosti in psihoterapije. Poseben poudarek je namenjen posttravmatski rasti, ki kaže, kako lahko travmatična izkušnja prinese spremembe v doživljanju smisla, odnosov in življenjskih prioritet. Empirični del temelji na fenomenološkem pristopu. V raziskavi je sodelovalo šest udeležencev, ki so se v različnih obdobjih življenja soočili z izgubo pomembne bližnje osebe. Podatki so bili zbrani s poglobljenimi polstrukturiranimi intervjuji in analizirani z Giorgijevo deskriptivno fenomenološko metodo. Analiza je razkrila šest osrednjih tematskih sklopov: 1) odnos do izgub in smrti pred izkušnjo izgube pomembne bližnje osebe, 2) odnos družbe do smrti in minljivosti, 3) opis izkušnje izgube pomembne bližnje osebe, 4) proces žalovanja, 5) spremembe kot posledica izkušnje izgube in 6) posttravmatska rast. Rezultati so pokazali, da je bila izguba za vse udeležence prelomna življenjska izkušnja, povezana s šokom, z žalostjo, osamljenostjo in jezo, hkrati pa tudi z iskanjem smisla in integracijo izgube v življenjsko zgodbo. Udeleženci so žalovanje opisovali kot valovit proces, ki se nikoli povsem ne zaključi, temveč se preobraža skozi čas. Poleg negativnih posledic, kot so prezgodnje odraščanje, izguba varnosti in vedenjske spremembe, so izpostavili tudi pozitivne transformacije, med drugim večjo samostojnost, spremembo življenjskih prioritet, okrepljeno duhovnost, hvaležnost ter poglobljene odnose. Vsi so poročali o oblikah posttravmatske rasti, s čimer raziskava potrjuje, da je izguba bližnje osebe hkrati vir bolečine in priložnost za rast.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: izguba, smrt, žalovanje, posttravmatska rast, fenomenološka raziskava
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.09 - Master's Thesis
• Organization: TEOF - Theological Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [A. Horvat]
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: VIII, 120, II str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-173951
• UDC: 159.97:393.7(043.2)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 251337731
• Publication date in RUL: 25.09.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Experiencing the loss of a loved one and post-traumatic growth

Abstract

This master’s thesis focuses on the experience of losing a significant close person and on the processes of grief and posttraumatic growth. The theoretical part addresses the concept of loss and its significance in an individual’s life, with particular attention to the loss of a close person, its irreplaceability, and the emotional and psychological responses it evokes. Grief is presented as a complex process that is never fully completed, while the roles of rituals, spirituality, and psychotherapy are also highlighted. Special emphasis is placed on posttraumatic growth, which shows how a traumatic experience can bring about changes in one’s perception of meaning, relationships, and life priorities. The empirical part is based on a phenomenological approach. The study involved six participants who, at different stages of life, faced the loss of a significant close person. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method. The analysis revealed six core thematic categories: (1) the attitude towards loss and death prior to the experience of losing a close person, (2) society’s attitude towards death and mortality, (3) the description of the experience of losing a close person, (4) the grieving process, (5) changes as a consequence of the loss, and (6) posttraumatic growth. The findings showed that loss was a pivotal life experience for all participants, associated with shock, sadness, loneliness, and anger, while also prompting meaning-making and the integration of the loss into their life stories. Participants described grief as a fluctuating process that never completely ends but transforms over time. Alongside negative consequences such as premature maturity, loss of security, and behavioral changes, they also highlighted positive transformations, including greater independence, shifts in life priorities, enhanced spirituality, gratitude, and deeper relationships. All participants reported forms of posttraumatic growth, confirming that the loss of a close person represents both a source of pain and an opportunity for growth.

• Keywords: loss, death, grief, posttraumatic growth, phenomenological research