KADINLARIN ANLATISAL KİMLİK GELİŞİMİNDE BABA KAYBININ YERİ

Abstract

This study aims to examine in detail and in depth the death of their fathers and the experience of mourning and the place of this experience in the narrative identities of women who lost their fathers between ages of 6-18. The study group of the research consists of 11 women living in different regions of Turkey. Data was collected through individual interviews by using the Semi-Structured Interview Form prepared by the researcher. The thematic analysis method was used for analysis of the data. Results revealed five main themes: (1) the concept of death, (2) familial concepts, (3) interpersonal relationships, (4) society and culture, and (5) narrative identity transformation, and each main theme has sub-themes. The theme of the concept of death includes the sub-themes of awareness of death, inability to make sense of death in childhood, and death and religious belief; while the theme of familial factors includes the sub-themes of changing family relationships, changing family roles, and problematic. The theme of interpersonal relationships includes the sub-themes of social environment and marriage and romantic relationships. The theme of society and culture includes the themes of community expectations, gender role and the concept of orphanhood. Finally, the theme of narrative identity transformation includes the sub-themes of emotional experiences after death, self-narrative, perception of life and future, and choices and decisions. Findings, limitations and recommendations for practitioners and researchers were presented.

Keywords: father loss, grief, identity development, narrative identity, gender