Citation

Hamama-Raz Y, Shir S, Mahat-Shamir M. Death Stud. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-10.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, Ariel University , Ariel , Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2019.1648332

PMID

31402776

Abstract

The death of a partner may be stressful for unmarried intimate partners as they lack legal status vis-à-vis the partner, and, thus, lack sufficient cultural support. This qualitative study examined the meaning attributed to the loss by 12 Israeli bereaved intimate partners of fallen soldiers. Through applying a constructivist-narrative methodology, we derived three clusters from interviews with the intimate partners: (a) The relationships never ended - "an unfinished business," (b) The need to conceal the relationships - "a hidden wound," and (c) The relationship guides their lives - "a compass." Practical implications were discussed.

Language: en