Disenfranchised grief and personal growth of bereaved same-sex partners

Background: There is currently a paucity of research regarding the bereavement experiences of same-sex partners and the potential impact of disenfranchised grief. Disenfranchised grief refers to the lack of social acknowledgment of a loss, the relationship with the deceased, or the role of a mourner. Aim: This study aimed to investigate a significant gap in the literature pertaining to the bereavement experiences of same-sex-attracted individuals who have lost a partner to non-HIV-related causes. The impact of the bereavement experiences on the seeking, formation, and maintenance of subsequent relationships was also explored. Method: A longitudinal mixed-methods design was employed. Seven gay and seven lesbian participants who had lost a long-term romantic partner were recruited for the purposes of this study. Each participant completed two 70-minute semi-structured interviews and the Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory (GMRI) 10 months apart. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the interview data and the differences in GMRI scores were recorded between the two time points of data collection. Results: Analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data indicated common themes of disenfranchised grief, perceived discrimination, personal growth, and unwarranted benefits following the loss. Discussion: Implications for practice are discussed, including recommendations for research and counselling practice with bereaved same-sex partners. The impact of loss on subsequent romantic relationships is explored and suggestions for future research are made.