Prevalence and Phenomenology of Sensory Experiences of a Deceased Spouse: A Survey of Bereaved Older Adults. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamp, Karina S.; Steffen, Edith Maria; Moskowitz, Andrew; Spindler, Helle
• Is Part Of: Omega. Volume 87:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: auditory-verbal hallucination -- sense of presence -- survey -- post-bereavement hallucinatory experiences -- continuing bonds; Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Death -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1177/00302228211016224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-2228

Abstract

Sensory and quasi-sensory experiences of the deceased (SED), also called bereavement hallucinations, are common in bereavement, but research detailing these experiences is limited.Methods: An in-depth survey of SED was developed based on existing research, and 310 older adults from the general Danish population participated in the study 6–10 months after their spouse died.Results: SED were reported by 42% of the participants with wide-ranging phenomenological features across sensory-modalities. In particular, seeing and hearing the deceased spouse was experienced as very similar to the couple's everyday contacts before death. SED were endorsed as positive by a majority of experiencers, and the experiences were often shared with family and friends.Discussion: SED are conceptualized as social and relational phenomena, which may comfort the surviving spouse in late-life bereavement, but also provide tangible help to some experiencers. In clinical practice, SED may be considered a potential resource for the therapeutic grief process.