Anticipatory mourning: implications and cultural perceptions

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The elaboration of an anticipatory mourning can be determined by different variables, being manifested and experienced in a unique way for each individual. There are personal, social and cultural factors involved in the process of elaborating a loss. OBJECTIVE: Identify possible implications for anticipatory mourning, given the different perceptions of death. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory and interpretive study was carried out. As a way of illustrating and discussing theoretical aspects, clippings of scenes from the movie A Little Bit of Heaven were selected, which were grouped into categories that involve: the context in which the character was inserted in the period prior to the illness; manifestations presented by her during the elaboration of her death; the acceptance process; and the different perceptions of people around her about her approaching death. RESULTS: From the matching strategy, the proposed categories were related to theoretical aspects, emphasizing possible implications of an anticipatory mourning, given the perceptions that are manifested. It is considered that the elaboration of mourning will be affected, then, mainly from the variables involved in the death process, bond and individual characteristics of the mourner, not presenting a standard for its resolution. CONCLUSION: Likewise, anticipatory mourning is multi-determined, and it may or may not present benefits to the bereaved, based on the resources available to them.