The Lived Experience of Losing a Loved One to Sudden Traumatic Death

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to investigate the lived experience of survivors who had lost an adult loved to sudden traumatic death. This study utilized Roy’s Adaptation Model (Roy & Andrews, 1999) as the theoretical framework to guide the study. The researcher interviewed five adult female survivors. Data from the interviews were analyzed utilizing Streubert’s (1999) Phenomenological Methodology to identify five common themes. Conceptualized within Roy’s Adaptation Theory, the sudden traumatic nature of the death of a loved one as well as the last encounter with a loved one prior to death remained long-term contextual stimuli for survivors as they struggled to adapt and find closure after their loss. Survivors expressed a need to know and share the details of their loss with others so that others might begin to understand the significance of their loss. Interactions with others were contextual stimuli that influenced survivors’ abilities to adapt to their loss. Survivors’ coping processes included the search for meaning in their loss and a need to know that their loved ones were “okay”. The experience of losing a loved one to sudden traumatic death is a complex phenomenon that is unique to every individual and leaves an indelible imprint on survivors.