On the meaning of life: A qualitative interpretive meta synthesis of the lived experience of life without parole

Abstract

This Qualitative Interpretive Meta Synthesis (QIMS) develops a more complete understanding of the lived experience of serving a Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentence by synthesizing the results of existing qualitative studies focused on this population. The four studies selected for this QIMS contain interviews with 86 male prisoners serving a sentence of LWOP. The current synthesis uses phenomenology and grounded theory as methods to obtain a new understanding from the limited data on this specialized vulnerable population.Findings: The conceptual model emerging from this QIMS indicates that prisoners experience the sentence of LWOP with feelings of deep loss which mimic the grief response of the dying patient as described by Kubler-Ross (1969). Upon the initial shock of sentencing and imprisonment, inmates pass through stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and ultimately, acceptance. In order to cope with the harsh reality of life imprisonment, 'lifers' find ways to exercise personal choice, keep a positive outlook, and forge meaning from their sufferings. Those who are successful in these tasks discover great resilience.Applications: This synthesis suggests that the application of grief and resilience theories may be relevant with prisoners and other similarly marginalized populations coping with extraordinary loss of self. Given the potential of inmates in this study to discover personal resilience and engage in attempts at social reconciliation, policy makers should consider whether a sentence of LWOP shortchanges both inmates and society.

Experiences of former child soldiers in Africa: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis

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Environmental influences on services for and mental health of incarcerated populations: A review

“…Typical concerns center around whether it is appropriate to synthesize studies across different qualitative traditions, academic disciplines, and qualitative data collection methods. Though many approaches to meta-synthesis exist, QIMS was developed to address these typical concerns and has been used in a handful of studies (e.g., Aguirre & Bolton, 2014;Barnett & Praetorius, 2015;Frank & Aguirre, 2013;Maleku & Aguirre, 2014;Nordberg, Crawford, Praetorius, & Hatcher, 2015;Sliva, 2015;Smith & Aguirre, 2012). QIMS is tailored to the social work profession (Aguirre & Bolton, 2014) and was chosen to synthesize the findings of previous qualitative studies concerning the state of prison health services, specifically mental health services.…”

Perubahan Makna Hidup Warga Binaan Tindak Pidana Korupsi di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan X

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