Stanbach, Dianne and Dickinson, Joan I. and Cline, Holly and Sullivan, Kathleen Photography & Art Creation to Address Anticipatory Grief: A Design Thinking Approach. 2022. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
Grieving for loved ones or even strangers throughout the world is commonplace thanks to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the havoc it has created. In most cases, postdeath emotions leave loved ones disconnected, distraught, uncertain, and grieving, and this individual experience is not the same for everyone. While extensive research has examined postdeath emotions, research on anticipatory grief (AG), grief prior to death is lacking, and the few investigations conducted suggest that this condition can affect loved ones’ well-being. In this study, we explored anticipatory grief among 6 individuals who have an overall healthy, aging parent 70-90 years of age. Using design thinking strategies such as a grief survey, journaling, affinity clustering, storyboard creation with photos, and think aloud testing, we discovered family members’ connection with their loved ones and allowed them to address feelings of grief before great decline. Another purpose was to provide family members with tools to unveil their knowledge of their most sacred feelings about their aging parents and allow such elements to become artwork. Participants' photographs or graphic illustrations became art and represented new connections that were shown to help them deal emotionally with inevitable losses. Interestingly, the personalized art gave participants positive feelings of a life well lived that may allow them to process their AG while their parents continue to age. The artwork creation gave researchers an increased understanding of how AG affects the personal relationship between loved ones and aging parents and offers insight into the helpfulness of photographic art.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Design |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Feb 2023 20:30 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2023 19:34 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/954 |
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