Grieving the Death of the Loved Ones among the Incarcerated

Women: A Phenomenological Study

Okky Nursafitri and Margaretha

Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus B Jl. Airlangga 4-6, Surabaya, Indonesia

Keywords: grief, incarcerated women

Abstract: Incarcerated women faced multiple stresses due to both different situations in prison and daily life stressors

such as the death of aloved one. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of grief on the death

of a loved one among incarcerated women by using a phenomenology approach. The phenomenological

study used in this study was an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA; Langdridge, 2007). Four

incarcerated women who experienced the death of a loved one participated in this study. The results

revealed seven common meanings of grief, as well as an opportunity to forgive the deceased one, release

problems and anger, be more able to sympathize and empathize, protect the loved ones, have the desire to

do more deeds, be close to God, and focus on the future. The findings generated from this study are

expected to help healthcare providers in prison to understand the grief experienced by incarcerated woman

and develop a program to facilitate it.

1 INTRODUCTION

Incarcerated women faced multiple stresses due to

the different situations in prison. Punishment

requires inmates to be able to adapt to the scheduled

activities, rules and time constraints to meet loved

ones. Therefore, inmates at the beginning will be

psychologically affected (Williams, 2007).

Incarcerated women have additional women’s needs

such as gynecology and obstetrics (Bastick &

Townhead, 2008; Nastami, 2012). Whereas because

of the psychological conditions typical of

incarcerated women they are more vulnerable to

mental disorders due to the burden owned, despite

both imprisoned men and women having similar

experience. Incarcerated women have a specific role

in domestic affairs, such as keeping the family

intact, taking care of children, and related marital

conflicts or unresolved relationships (Gussak, 2010).

Therefore, incarcerated women have a heavier

burden coupled with the grieving experience that

must occur inside the prison.

Grief can happen to everyone, including an

inmate, while undergoing a period of imprisonment,

such as the death of a loved one because it is a

specific event (Aiken, 1994; Howarth, 2011;

Tomlinson, 2011). Grief is a common term used to

describe the response to loss (Walter & McCoyd,

2009). Being separated from a loved one is the

primary stressor among inmates (Bastick &

Townhead, 2008; Harner, Hentz & Evangelista,

2010; Keaveny & Zauszniewski, 1999; Sarafino,

1998), more so if the loved one died (Ferszt, 2000).

The interesting fact is that almost half of the

incarcerated women population experience the death

of a loved one during their imprisonment (Harner et

al., 2010).

Only a few studies explained the grieving

experience (Ferszt, 2000; Harner et al., 2010).

Though prison is described as an unsafe place to

suffer, release emotions or lose their control (Harner

et al., 2010). The imprisonment has limited space

where the site is the iron bars surround the prison

and the high walls surround the prison area. Of

course, this situation means inmates are limited in

expressing or realizing what they want to do,

including in mourning. A prison is a place where

movements and options are limited. Indeed inmates

are put in the subordinate and dependent role. So

inmates believe that prison is not the right place to

refer to their expression (Houck, 2001; Tesh, 1996).

Detention is not provided as a healing environment,

and many of the prisoners are released in a worse

situation than before they enter. Imprisonment only

exacerbates the underlying problems of trauma and

creates more complex problems, especially post-

Nursaﬁtri, O. and Margaretha, .

Grieving the Death of the Loved Ones among the Incarcerated Women: A Phenomenological Study.

DOI: 10.5220/0008588703070312

In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Psychology in Health, Educational, Social, and Organizational Settings (ICP-HESOS 2018) - Improving Mental Health and Harmony in

Global Community, pages 307-312

ISBN: 978-989-758-435-0

307

liberation (Ferszt, 2000; Leach, Burgess &

Holmwood, 2008), such as difficulties in adapting

(Ferszt, 2000), communicating and expressing

emotions, to recidivism trends (Leach et al., 2008),

coupled with grieving experience combined with

limited facilities and facilitation in the prison.

Basically, theoretically grief is greatly influenced

by the relationship with the loved one, the event of

the death, personality (Aiken, 1994; Bolwby, 1980;

Kristjanson, Lobb, Aoun, & Monterosso, 2006), sex

of the griever (Aiken, 1994; Bolwby, 1980;

Kristjanson et al., 2006; Mallon, 2008; Simon, 2001;

Tomlinson, 2011), age (Aiken, 1994; Bolwby, 1980;

Howarth, 2011), culture (Aiken, 1994; Howarth,

2011; Mallon, 2008; Tomlinson, 2011), religion and

social values (Mallon, 2008; Tomlinson, 2011), and

social support (Bolwby, 1980; Mallon, 2008). Also,

Sabar (2000) explained that grief could be defined

through several concepts, sadness, grief, mourning

and bereavement. Conceptually, the explanation of

pain consists of two things: causes level and

meaning level, so that can be researched further in

this study.

The author has found several previous studies

that discussed the same theme by Ferszt in 2000,

Harner and colleagues in 2010, and also Leach and

colleagues in 2008. But these studies took a

background outside of Indonesia. While in

Indonesia, the author didn’t find any research on the

same theme. Though they may be inter-dependent

due to differences in characteristics and values

between Indonesia and others. Culture is an essential

aspect of form and pattern in interpreting and

valuing individual experience (Nagel, 2002).

Moreover Papalia, Sterns, Feldman and Camp

(2007) and also Solomon, Mitchell, Dutta and

Thilakan (2010) emphasized that the grieving

process is a universal experience, yet remains

influenced by the cultural context. So this is what

makes this research unique and significant.

Therefore, there are various previous explanations

behind the author reviewing this. The author wants

to know how incarcerated women interpreted the

grieving experience; can it intensely be formulated

in the grand tour question, what is the meaning of

grief for incarcerated women?

2 METHOD

This study used Interpretative Phenomenological

Analysis (IPA), which focuses on how individuals

view their particular experiences, without going

through the hypothesis phase. The grief consists of

several responses, such as emotional, physiological,

cognitive, behavioral, social or spiritual responses.

In addition, the sampling method was a purposive

sampling technique with some characteristics of

subject, 1) incarcerated women, 2) having

experienced the death of a loved one during the

confinement, such as family members (birth or step),

(3) adult, over 20 years (Santrock, 1985) (when

death occurs), 4) the period of the death is not

restricted because grief can happen for years and

even a lifetime (Hoyer & Rodin, 2003; Park &

Halifax, 2011), and 5) willing to be subject of

research without any coercion. Furthermore, the data

collection method used an in-depth interview with

the semi-structured interview type. Interviews were

conducted in four sessions for each subject, 1) the

first session was rapport, trust building and informed

consent, 2) the second session was continuing the

trust building, 3) the third session was the core

interview, when the subjects were given questions

related to the research topic, and 4) the last meeting

was a closing interview.

The data was examined using thematic analysis.

Thematic analysis is the process of coding producing

a list of themes, theme models or complex

indicators, qualifications usually associated with the

issue, or things between or a combination of which

have been mentioned. For credibility, this study used

multiple encoding, where the author asked others to

codify the transcripts, then the results from the

numerous coders are compared with the result by the

author. The result showed that the multiple coders

give note that the data of the social and socio-

cultural support factors don’t explain fully or still

need to dig deeper.

3 RESULT

This study explained the meaning of grief among

incarcerated women.

Table 1: Identity of research subjects. Source: Results of

data process, 2017.

Subject

Subjec

t 3

Subject

Age

30 years

old

49 years

old

years

old

26 years

old

Religion Islam Islam Islam Islam

Ethnicity

Betawin

ese

Javanes

Javane

Javanese

Relation

Husban

d and

Son

Step

Father

ICP-HESOS 2018 - International Conference on Psychology in Health, Educational, Social, and Organizational Settings

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Birth

Father

Time of

the

Death

2 days

Husban

d: ± 1

year

Birth

Father:

± 6

months

± 2

month

± 3

months

First, in the explanation of the research subject

according to Table 1, the author found four subjects.

The subjects have the variation of the death

experience of a loved one, while the time of the

death is two days to one year.

Second, the study identified seven themes of

grief among incarcerated women. But these themes

are not wholly owned by the whole subject. Each

subject generates only a few themes.

3.1 Theme 1: An Opportunity to

Forgive the Deceased One

Theme 1 appears in several excerpts submitted by

Subject 1 who claimed to have forgiven the mistakes

of the loved one.

I felt peevish, but now am fine, I already forgive him.

(Subject 1)

Cause I was sincere, I already forgive him. Once I

said, when I found he passed away, I feel my burden

off (Subject 1).

This theme means that forgiving the mistakes of

a loved one produced a sense of calm, sincerity, and

burden off. Mainly this implies to be able to think

positively about the loved one.

3.2 Theme 2: Release Problems and

Anger

Theme 2 appears in several excerpts submitted by

Subjects 1 and 2.

The person has died, so the problem is over (Subject

1).

The problem has released, I live with sincerity

(Subject 1).

If they don’t die, maybe I’m still angry (Subject 2).

This theme means that the death of the loved one

is considered as an opportunity to release problems

and anger that existed between the subject and the

loved one. And it makes the subjects feel surrender

in the destiny of life.

Themes 1 and 2 can be understood by a study

conducted by Martinčeková & Klatt (2017), which

explained that there is a significant relationship

between grief and forgiveness. The anger of a

griever is usually associated with interpersonal

outrage and poor adjustment to the loss experienced.

To be able to continue life without the presence of

the loved one, it is necessary to make some efforts to

achieve it. Forgiveness is considered an effective

way of reducing feelings of depression, anxiety and

anger as well as improving mental health. The role

of forgiveness is believed to minimize grief because

it focuses on the elimination of anger, resentment

and guilt.

3.3 Theme 3: Be More Able to

Sympathize and Empathize

Theme 3 appears in some excerpts submitted by

Subject 2 and three that feel more reflective of the

experience of other grievers.

I realized when one of my friends lost her father. I

could feel what she feels, I become emotional. I hug

her, she cried. Before it was not like that, now I can

handle it (Subject 2).

I feel sorrier for my friends (the grievers) because I

know (Subject 3).

Like I can see myself, I imagine myself, how it would

be when I was in that position (Subject 3).

This theme means that there is an ability to feel

what others feel when faced with loss experience.

The subject showed it with a hug as solidarity and

sympathy. In the context of grief, the griever will

make an effort to form collective solidarity. It has

benefit for themselves as an opportunity to gain

support and share the pain. To build a solidarity

group, it begins with sympathy and empathy (Stierl,

2016).

3.4 Theme 4: Protect the Loved One

Theme 4 appears in several excerpts submitted by

Subjects 3 and 4. They think that they are the cause

of the death.

Now, I often oversee Sheila (her other child), take

care of her although I am here (Subject 3).

First, I have to take care of this one (her other

child), more. I have this one only. Her caregiver

should be aware with her more. Because we don’t

know, she is a kid (Subject 3).

Grieving the Death of the Loved Ones among the Incarcerated Women: A Phenomenological Study

309

Call for my mom often. "Take care yourself". She is

diabetic. Remind her to eat healthy food every time.

I don’t want a loss of both of my parents in the jail

(Subject 4).

This theme is a result of the thought and feeling

that the subject has contributed to the death of the

loved one. This theme means that there is still an

attempt to correct mistakes being more protective of

other loved ones to avoid loss experience.

Rosenblatt (2008) in his study explained that a

mother who loses her children wants to love other

ones more. It causes awareness of vulnerability to

loss. The protection is many things such as more

awareness, faster response to the signs of trouble,

and organizing the personal needs of loved ones.

3.5 Theme 5: Have Desire to Do More

Deeds

Theme 5 appears in several excerpts submitted by

Subjects 2 and 4.

There are differences in doing good, I want to do

more. I realized that the barrier between life and the

death is so thin. I have to see my savings for the

afterlife (Subject 2).

Honestly, I'm thinking about my mother that she is

alone. Taking care of sick people is not easy,

difficult. Keep the shop too, I imagined that she must

lift up (Subject 4).

This theme means that awareness to live after

death and live in the world is an opportunity to

prepare to face the grave. And also hope that when

the subjects helped others, it would make the loved

ones maintained by others too.

3.6 Theme 6: Be Close to God

Theme 6 appears in several excerpts submitted by

Subjects 2, 3 and 4.

Regarding religious activity, I increased. For me,

the rightest place is God, not to the peoples. With

prayer (on a middle night), I feel comfort. I used the

time because it’s quiet and nobody. I want to cry and

anything else, so I used it rightly. And also I took

fasting to push my needs (Subject 2).

After my son died, I was praying. Fortunately, I can

read the Qur’an. Now it’s useful. I prayed for my

son. Anyway, after maghrib prayer I read the

Qur’an. This is for my family too (Subject 3).

More diligent to worship, pray, pray for my father,

for my family who have died (Subject 4).

This theme means the discovery of tranquility in

the spiritual and religious paths, thus raising the

need to draw closer to God and study about religion,

in addition to merely praying for the loved ones.

Themes 5 and 6 are about religion or spirituality.

Religion is a central theme because it is regarded as

a way to handle the burden of grief in the experience

of death. Death and loss are motivation to develop

religious commitment. Religion helps grief find

solace in the form of spiritual practice, but doesn’t

show suppressed grief. And religious activities are

related to cultural ritual (Park & Halifax, 2011).

The Javanese-Islamic culture signifies death as a

reminder to death. And to face the death, people are

encouraged to do many good things that they

believed it to be carrying when they died. The death

should not be met with crying and sadness because

in time everyone would die. So the attitude that

should be shown in the face of the death is sincere

by always praying for the loved ones (Geertz, 1973).

3.7 Theme 7: Focus to the Future

Theme 7 appears in a few excerpts delivered by

Subject 1 and two in which they started to focus

more on the future overtime.

I want to think about my future with my son. He

doesn’t exist, no need to remind all the time (Subject

1).

Focus on the future because I am realistic (Subject

2).

This theme has meaning if there are still other

expectations and responsibilities that must be faced

and not only dissolved with the grief situation. This

is the reorganization stage of grief. The final stage

but this stage could be very emotional to the griever

to try to build a new life and create new goals in his

life (Hoyer & Rodin, 2003).

4 DISCUSSION

Society and culture form individuals regarding

spirituality, religion and interrelated rituals. And

these aspects also affect beliefs, social values and

philosophical ideas in their lives and deaths.

Especially in supporting and influencing the

diversity of grief responses in adults

(Mallon, 2008).

Unfortunately, however, prisons are described not as

a safe place for individuals to suffer, release

emotions or lose their control

(Harner et al., 2010).

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5 CONCLUSION

This study identified themes, in which

incarcerated women interpret grief as an

opportunity to forgive the deceased, release

problems and anger, be more able to sympathize

and empathize, protect loved ones, desire to do

more good, get closer to God and study religion,

and focus on the future.

An understanding of the grief experience of

women should be able to assist healthcare providers

in prison, especially in developing programs to

facilitate the grief and support the state healthcare

system. Mental health services are also needed to

provide support for self-management when dealing

with crises by reducing the possibility of using

unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as medications

and emergency evaluation of risky behaviors, such

as suicidal or offensive inclinations, and possible use

of alcohol after their release later.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research received not-for-profit sector backing

from Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Kelas IIA Malang.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this

work.

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