Bereavement and sexual intimacy : exploring the interaction between sexual intimacy and the process of grieving in bereaved clients
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2022
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O presente estudo explorou a correlação entre intimidade sexual e o sentimento de luto nas
vidas de indivíduos que se deparam com este sentimento, através de interacções com dez
psicólogos clínicos e psicoterapeutas sobre o trabalho que realizam com clientes que atravessam
um período de luto. Os estudos prévios nesta área são escassos, e o potencial papel da
intimidade sexual nas vidas das pessoas que atravessam um período de luto permanece
relativamente inexplorado. Para indivíduos que se deparam com o sentimento de luto, o
acompanhamento psicológico ou a psicoterapia poderão constituir espaços valiosos nos quais
poderão falar com segurança sobre a sua experiência, uma vez que este poderá ser um tema de
abordagem difícil, social e culturalmente inabordável. Apesar do papel importante que as
relações íntimas desempenham no dia-a-dia, o tema da intimidade sexual é ainda considerado
tabu, e de forma ainda mais pronunciada num contexto de luto. A realização de entrevistas com
profissionais de saúde permitiu a recolha de dados e material relevantes, com base nos anos de
experiência clínica destes especialistas. O presente estudo qualitativo foi analisado através da
‘Constructivist Grounded Theory’, e, por conseguinte, os resultados derivam directamente do
discurso dos participantes, nas suas próprias palavras. Os resultados mais significativos
evidenciam que o tema da intimidade sexual durante o período do luto é regularmente evitado,
mesmo num contexto de relação terapêutica, e que existe uma correlação entre os dois tópicos
(intimidade sexual + luto) que, em alguns casos, contribui para um desconforto ou sofrimento
acrescidos. Os terapeutas entrevistados sentiram de igual modo que, para alguns clientes, a
intimidade sexual poderá vir a desempenhar um papel potencialmente benéfico no âmbito do
processo de cura. Os participantes partilharam os seus pontos de vista e reflexões acerca da
necessidade de exploração do tópico da intimidade sexual durante o período de luto, bem como
a possível necessidade de uma abordagem mais integrada, incluindo um reconhecimento
acrescido face à importância da sexualidade, e também [a necessidade] de uma gama de
abordagens psicoterapêuticas tais como a incorporação de um maior reconhecimento somático.
Foram muitas vezes abordados os tópicos da falta de desenvolvimento profissional no campo
da sexualidade, e também da necessidade de maior amplitude ao nível da formação para
terapeutas.
This study explored the interaction between sexual intimacy and grief in the lives of bereaved individuals by talking to ten clinical psychologists and psychotherapists about their work with bereaved clients. There is very little previous research in this area and the potential role of sexual intimacy in the lives of bereaved people remains relatively unexplored. For grieving people counselling or psychotherapy may be a valuable space where they can discuss their experience with a sense of safety, as it can be a difficult subject to broach elsewhere which may be considered socially and culturally unmentionable. Despite the prominent role intimate relationships play in day to day life, the subject of sexual intimacy is still often considered taboo and within the context of bereavement even more so. By interviewing mental health professionals this study was able to gain evidence from their years of clinical experience. This was a qualitative study analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory in order that the results should be drawn directly from the participants’ own words. The main results found that the topic of Sexual intimacy during grieving was often avoided even within the therapeutic relationship, and that there is a bi-directional effect between the two topics which can in some cases contribute to significant added suffering. The therapists interviewed also felt that there was a potentially helpful role for sexual intimacy within the healing process for some clients. The participants shared their insights and reflections on the need to explore the topic of sexual intimacy during grieving and the potential necessity for a more integrative approach, including greater awareness of the relevance of sexuality as well as a range of psychotherapeutic approaches such as incorporating the inclusion of more somatic awareness. Lack of training in the area of sexuality came up often and highlighted the need for broader therapist training.
This study explored the interaction between sexual intimacy and grief in the lives of bereaved individuals by talking to ten clinical psychologists and psychotherapists about their work with bereaved clients. There is very little previous research in this area and the potential role of sexual intimacy in the lives of bereaved people remains relatively unexplored. For grieving people counselling or psychotherapy may be a valuable space where they can discuss their experience with a sense of safety, as it can be a difficult subject to broach elsewhere which may be considered socially and culturally unmentionable. Despite the prominent role intimate relationships play in day to day life, the subject of sexual intimacy is still often considered taboo and within the context of bereavement even more so. By interviewing mental health professionals this study was able to gain evidence from their years of clinical experience. This was a qualitative study analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory in order that the results should be drawn directly from the participants’ own words. The main results found that the topic of Sexual intimacy during grieving was often avoided even within the therapeutic relationship, and that there is a bi-directional effect between the two topics which can in some cases contribute to significant added suffering. The therapists interviewed also felt that there was a potentially helpful role for sexual intimacy within the healing process for some clients. The participants shared their insights and reflections on the need to explore the topic of sexual intimacy during grieving and the potential necessity for a more integrative approach, including greater awareness of the relevance of sexuality as well as a range of psychotherapeutic approaches such as incorporating the inclusion of more somatic awareness. Lack of training in the area of sexuality came up often and highlighted the need for broader therapist training.
Descrição
Orientação: Patricia Pascoal
Palavras-chave
MESTRADO EM PSICOLOGIA CLÍNICA E DA SAÚDE, PSICOLOGIA, SEXUALIDADE, RELAÇÕES DE INTIMIDADE, PSYCHOLOGY, SEXUALITY, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP