Overview

The purpose of this project:

Bereavement with a loved one is something that everyone can experience. Over time, many of us negotiate bereavement and adapt to our daily life. However, some have long-term physical and mental health problems. Where is this difference?

The purpose of this research project is to clarify the adaptation to bereavement psychologically. Above all, we are examining the concept of “continuing bonds with the deceased”.

Continuing Bonds in Bereavement:

When bereaved from beloved ones, we often maintain some form of connection with the deceased. Recently, the idea that this is important in adapting to bereavement has been raised, and has been widely supported as the concept of a continuing bond with the deceased.

This concept is said to be modeled on Japanese religious behavior, such as visiting graves, Buddhist altars, enshrining spirit tablets and shadows, the Bon Festival days, and so on.

Empirical research on the continuing bonds with the deceased has just begun, and come under review what kind of bonds promote adaptation, how the bonds change, and how religion and culture contribute to the bonds. In our research project, we focus on socio-cultural factors and the function of memory.