Revisiting the Continuing Bonds Theory: The Cultural Uniqueness of the Bei Dao Phenomenon in Taiwanese Widows/Widowers

Abstract

In the present study, we used the phenomenological approach to rediscover the ontological meaning of relationships with the deceased in Taiwanese widows/widowers. We first revised the original Western definitions of grief, bereavement, and mourning to fit Taiwanese culture. We used the word bei dao to indicate the mixed nature of grief and mourning in the Taiwanese bereavement process. Then we reanalyzed data from a previous study, which was conducted in 2006. In the previous qualitative research, each subject was interviewed 3 to 4 times in the mourning state over an 18-month interval that began at the point of the spouse's death. Results showed that two main themes emerged in the present analysis: (a) a blurred boundary of life and death and (b) a transformation of ethical bonds. The present study reveals the culturally unique aspects of the Taiwanese bei dao process. Limitations of the present study and future directions are discussed and reflected.

Taiwanese family members’ bereavement experience following an expected death: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

“…The 17 papers were published between 2006 and 2021. There were ten qualitative studies [ 36 – 43 , 45 , 46 ], one mixed-methods study [ 47 ], and six quantitative surveys [ 48 – 53 ]. Six of the 17 studies employed longitudinal design [ 39 , 43 , 48 , 49 , 52 , 53 ] (Table 2 ).…”

“…There were ten qualitative studies [ 36 – 43 , 45 , 46 ], one mixed-methods study [ 47 ], and six quantitative surveys [ 48 – 53 ]. Six of the 17 studies employed longitudinal design [ 39 , 43 , 48 , 49 , 52 , 53 ] (Table 2 ). The main aim of the qualitative studies was to explore family members’ bereavement experience, while the quantitative surveys mainly investigated the relationship between grief and specific variables such as family members’ demographics and palliative sedation therapy.…”

“…The main aim of the qualitative studies was to explore family members’ bereavement experience, while the quantitative surveys mainly investigated the relationship between grief and specific variables such as family members’ demographics and palliative sedation therapy. Most studies ( n = 12) recruited participants from a single hospital [ 39 – 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 – 52 ], and two qualitative studies included only one family member as the participant [ 41 , 42 ]. Studies were conducted across Taiwan.…”

“…The primary relationships were spouse and parent-adult children [ 36 , 38 , 46 , 48 – 53 ]. The average bereaved time varied with the range between 36 hours and four years, but most studies were from six months to 18 months [ 37 – 39 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 50 – 52 ]. Most studies ( n = 16) investigated terminally ill cancer patients [ 36 – 39 , 41 – 43 , 45 – 53 ] who received specialist inpatient palliative care ( n = 10) [ 39 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 – 51 , 53 ].…”

“…The studies varied in quality with scores ranging from 22 to 33 out of 36; most studies (11 out of 17) scored between 26 and 32 [ 37 – 40 , 43 , 45 , 47 – 51 ] (Supplementary Material 6 ). Among the nine domains of Hawker’s appraisal tool, the included studies were assessed as good or fair in the abstract and title, method and data, and results section.…”