MEANING RECONSTRUCTION IN THE EXPERIENCE OF PARENTAL BEREAVEMENT

Grounded-theory analysis was used to generate an explanation of the ph enomenon of meaning reconstruction in the experience of 10 bereaved mo thers. The theory that emerged included three phases in the process of meaning reconstruction: discontinuity, disorientation, and adjustment . The participants reinterpreted the meaning structures they had held prior to their child's death in order to give meaning to the death. Th e nature of the prior meaning structure emerged as the core variable. The ability to restore meaning after the death of a child was clearly linked to the prior existence of a meaning structure that could accoun t for and ''place'' the child's death. The findings suggest that the p rocess of meaning reconstruction is a unique aspect of the grieving ex perience that cannot be explained by existing theories of grief. Recog nition of the complexity of the process has implications for community members and professionals who interact with the bereaved parent.